A storm is brewing in Africa’s emerging AI filmmaking industry, as a dispute over historical credit threatens to rewrite the narrative of the continent’s first AI-generated movie. At the heart of the controversy is Aiflix360, a pioneering studio led by Dr. Ope Banwo, which is fiercely challenging what it calls a “false claim” by the creators of Make Mation.
Banwo and his team at Aiflix360 argue that Make Mation is misleading the public by claiming to be Africa’s first AI-generated film, despite the fact that their project has yet to be released. According to Aiflix360, they hold the legitimate title, having already released their first AI-generated movie on October 14, 2024, followed by the global premiere of their AI feature film, Omegamax Conspiracy, on March 10, 2025.
For Banwo, this is more than just an industry dispute—it is about protecting history. He warns that if falsehoods are allowed to stand, future generations may mistakenly credit the wrong people for pioneering AI filmmaking in Africa. His team has worked tirelessly to push the boundaries of AI-generated storytelling, and they refuse to let their achievements be erased by what they see as a baseless marketing ploy.
Beyond historical accuracy, Aiflix360 is also concerned about the potential consequences of remaining silent. Banwo believes that allowing Make Mation to make an unverified claim could undermine the credibility of those who have genuinely contributed to AI filmmaking. If unchallenged, he warns, the situation could create a precedent where false claims go unchecked, blurring the line between marketing hype and outright deception.
Perhaps most alarmingly, Banwo has raised concerns about the involvement of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who appears to have unknowingly endorsed Make Mation’s claim. Aiflix360 has called on the governor’s media team to urgently review the facts and issue a correction, insisting that no government office should be used to promote misinformation.
In response to the growing controversy, Banwo has issued a public challenge to Make Mation: provide clear evidence to support their claim or retract it. He demands that they produce proof of an AI-generated film released before October 14, 2024, and show verifiable documentation that AI technology was used to write, animate, voice, and produce their project. He argues that without such proof, Make Mation cannot claim a title they have not rightfully earned.
“You cannot claim you invented the car just because you talked about how cars are faster while riding a bicycle,” Banwo remarked, making it clear that Aiflix360 is ready to defend its legacy.
While the controversy rages on, Aiflix360 continues to solidify its position as a true innovator in AI filmmaking. With multiple AI-generated films already completed and Omegamax Conspiracy making waves globally, Banwo and his team are confident that history will remember them as the real pioneers.
