Young Kenyan creatives shine at AI Smartphone Film Competition at Alliance Française
Alliance Française Nairobi and the French Embassy hosted a packed showcase that put smartphone filmmaking front and center. In its 10th year, the competition leaned into AI-driven storytelling-and the response was big: 85 entries from Kenyan creators, all shot and edited on phones with AI woven into the process.
Since 2016, the event has run alongside the French Film Festival under the theme "Rebellious Spirit." Submissions were modest at the start; this year's momentum shows how fast creators are adopting phone-first production and AI tools to move faster, cheaper, and with more intention.
What screened
Ten shorts, each under two minutes, made the final program-ranging from experimental visuals to punchy social commentaries. The lineup reflected a clear trend: tight concepts, lean execution, and confidence with AI-supported workflows.
- Morio & Juliet - directed by Calvin Oyula
- Mother's Agony - directed by Clinton
- Makmende Begins - directed by Gabriel Jamal
- The Red Box - directed by Sogallo
- Karibu Taon - directed by Ivy Sonia
- Revenge of the Reject - directed by Solomon Wambugu
- Amateur - directed by Tanya Jacobs
Why it matters for creatives
This is the new baseline: high-quality stories made on accessible devices, with AI as an extra set of hands. The French Embassy highlighted long-term backing for the creative economy through the Création Africa initiative, which has invested over 1.7 million euros in Kenya to grow talent and industry capacity.
"France has always been an unwavering supporter of African creativity," said Denis Sainte Marie, Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs. That support also involves partners like the Institut français and France Médias Monde (RFI and France 24).
Alliance Française Nairobi and Création Africa provide platforms and resources that help young filmmakers move from idea to audience.
What the jury looked for
A three-person panel-creative art director Shadrack Munene, award-winning digital investigation journalist Peris Gachahi, and Creative Editor Leon Malu-judged originality, storytelling, use of AI tools, and technical execution. The message from the stage was clear: AI should sharpen your thinking, not replace it.
As Leon Malu put it, "When you're workshopping your ideas, don't treat ChatGPT like your friend. Ask it for real advice. Tell it, 'beat me up and just tell me the truth about this idea.'"
The winners
- People's Choice: Morio & Juliet - directed by Calvin Oyula (KSh 75,000)
- Second Prize: Revenge of the Reject - directed by Solomon Wambugu (KSh 100,000)
- First Prize: Karibu Taon - directed by Ivy Gathoni Wangui (KSh 150,000)
AI is an enabler, not a threat
Alliance Française board member Dorothy Ooko urged filmmakers to treat AI as leverage for better thinking and cleaner execution. "AI is supposed to make your work easier… give you more time to think through," she said. That's the point: automate the grunt work so you can spend your energy on story and taste.
Practical takeaways for a smartphone-first, AI-assisted workflow
- Idea shaping: Use an AI assistant to stress-test your concept. Ask for hard feedback on premise, stakes, and ending. Iterate fast before you shoot.
- Structure: Generate loglines, beats, and a lean shot list. Keep scenes short, visuals intentional, audio clean.
- Pre-pro in notes: Lock script, shot order, and timing. Decide vertical or horizontal framing based on your target platform.
- On set: Prioritize light and sound. Small LED, natural light, and clipped mics go further than most effects.
- Edit with intent: Use AI for rough cuts, captions, voice cleanup, and music cues. Keep manual control over pacing and rhythm.
- Finish strong: AI can help with transcripts, subtitles, and alternate cuts for different platforms. Credit collaborators and secure consent for any AI-generated assets.
Want structured training?
If you're building an AI-assisted creative workflow, you can explore curated resources here:
The bigger picture
This competition proves what many creators already feel: smartphone cinema is here, and AI is making it faster to ship work that stands up on any screen. Organisers emphasized how the format lowers production costs, encourages experimentation, and creates a pipeline for emerging voices to reach real audiences.
Alliance Française reaffirmed its commitment to digital arts and youth creativity-locally and internationally-so more Kenyan storytellers can join global conversations with work that's bold, lean, and unmistakably theirs.
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