Idris Elba Wants AI to Help African Filmmakers Tell Their Own Stories

Idris Elba wants more African filmmakers to have the opportunity to tell their own stories, and he believes artificial intelligence could help remove some of the barriers that have traditionally kept independent creators out of the industry.

Through his Akuna Group, the British actor is supporting From Script to Screen with AI, a free training programme backed by $1 million from Google.org. Announced on 26 October 2026, the initiative is aimed at emerging filmmakers and other visual storytellers across five African countries, with applications closing on 15 November.

Who can apply for Idris Elba’s AI filmmaking programme?

The programme is open to adults living in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and South Africa, including people working in filmmaking, photography, animation, editing, screenwriting and other creative disciplines.

Applicants do not need previous experience using artificial intelligence, although they are expected to demonstrate an interest in visual storytelling and provide examples of their creative abilities.

The training is designed to help participants develop practical skills that can be applied to filmmaking, rather than simply experimenting with AI-generated images or short videos.

What will filmmakers learn?

Successful applicants will join a 12-week online academy scheduled to run between February and April 2027, with training developed by AI filmmaking education organisation Curious Refuge.

Participants will explore how artificial intelligence can support different stages of production, from developing ideas and scripts to creating visual material.

Specialist pathways will cover fiction, documentary, animation, advertising and screenwriting, allowing creators to concentrate on areas relevant to their interests.

After the training, participants will be able to submit proposals for further consideration, with selected projects receiving mentorship and opportunities for funded production.

Will creators keep ownership of their films?

Creative ownership is an important part of the initiative, particularly as questions surrounding copyright and the use of AI-generated material continue to affect the entertainment industry.

The programme states that participating creators will retain ownership of their work rather than surrendering their projects to the organisations supporting the training.

Google.org’s $1 million contribution supports the wider initiative and should not be confused with an individual cash prize for successful applicants.

For filmmakers who have ideas but limited access to production resources, the programme could provide a route towards developing finished projects while maintaining creative control.

Applications close on 15 November 2026, with eligibility requirements and further information available through Akuna Learning.