Winners, together with their team alongside Alliance Francaise board of directors, pose for a group photo after the awarding ceremony during the event on November 21, 2025./DOUGLAS OKIDDY
The Alliance Française Nairobi, in collaboration with the French Embassy in Kenya, hosted an energetic showcase of creativity by young filmmakers who competed.
Every year since its launch in 2016, the competition has coincided with the French Film Festival under the theme of ‘Rebellious Spirit’.
In its first year in Kenya, the number of films submitted was very low.
This year's 10th edition, under the theme, AI-driven storytelling smartphone film competition, has received a total of 85 films from Kenyan content creators, all shot and edited using smartphones, with an increasing integration of AI tools into creative production pipeline workflows.
The participants, who were predominantly in their mid-20s, were all content creators and filmmakers, encouraged the creation of content for and by smartphones, creating a platform for young filmmakers to hone their skills and craft.
Filmmaker Ivy Gathoni Wangui receiving her dummy cheque from Alliance Francaise board of directors, Dorothy Ooko, and French Embassy Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs Denis Sainte Marie during the event on November 21, 2025./DOUGLAS OKIDDY
With a total of 10 films that were screened during the presentations including Morio & Juliet' directed by Calvin Oyula, Mother's agony directed Clinton, Makmende Begins directed by Gabriel Jamal, The Red Box directed by Sogallo, Karibu Taon directed Ivy Sonia, Revenge of the Regret dircted by Solomon and Amature directed by Tanya Jacobs, all short dramas less than two minutes ranged from experimental visuals to social-issue documentaries, current affairs reflecting both the diversity and rising digital confidence of the country’s youth in the creative economy.
Denis Sainte Marie, Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs at the French Embassy, emphasised France’s long-standing support for the continent’s creative economy.
“France has always been an unwavering supporter of African creativity and in the last few years, through the Création Africa initiative, it has invested over 1.7 million euros in Kenya to help unlock the potential of Kenyan creatives and professionals across diverse sectors of the cultural and creative economy,” he said.
Alliance Francaise board of directors, Dorothy Ooko, giving her remarks during the event on November 21, 2025./DOUGLAS OKIDDY
A panel of three jury members, namely Shadrack Munene, a creative art director, award-winning digital investigation journalist Peris Gachahi, and Creative Editor Leon Malu, who are industry professionals and tech innovators, were tasked to evaluate the entries of the films based on originality, use of AI tools, storytelling, and technical execution.
Leon Malu urged filmmakers to use AI tools more critically and firmly during the creative process. “We love the film sincerely… 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,’” he said, drawing laughter and nods from the audience.
Filmmaker Solomon Wambugu and his team received their dummy cheque from the Alliance Francaise board of directors, Dorothy Ooko, and French Embassy Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs Denis Sainte Marie during the event on November 21, 2025./DOUGLAS OKIDDY
After the screenings and consideration, the winners were announced, with the people's choice prize being awarded to 'Morio & Juliet' directed by Calvin Oyula with a cash prize of KSH 75,000/=, second prize going to Solomon Wambugu's film 'Revenge of the Reject' with a cash reward of KSH 100,000/=, and the first prize, Ivy Gathoni Wangui, with the film "Karibu Taon" with a cash award of KSh 150,000/=
The Alliance Francaise, board of directors, Dorothy Ooko, encouraged young filmmakers to view AI as an enabler rather than a threat to their craft.
“No, AI is supposed to make your work easier. AI is supposed to give you more time to think about the creativity that goes into it. You’re brilliant. This is a brilliant idea, but take the time to think through. So AI gives you more time to think through that,” she advised.
Filmmaker Calvin Oyula and his team received their dummy cheque from Alliance Francaise board of directors Dorothy Ooko and French Embassy Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs Denis Sainte Marie, during the event on November 21, 2025./DOUGLAS OKIDDY
The event highlighted the growing intersection between technology and art, showing how AI tools are enabling young filmmakers to produce high-quality content on accessible devices such as smartphones.
The French Embassy, through Creation Africa, the Institut francais and France Médias Monde (RFI and France 24) has supported the smartphone competition.
Organisers noted that the competition not only promotes innovation but also democratizes filmmaking by lowering production costs for emerging talents.
Alliance Française reaffirmed its commitment to supporting both local and international digital arts and youth creativity, with artistic works that reflect the diversity and aspiration for young storytellers to join global creative conversations.
