The British Council’s Film Lab Africa, in partnership with Sterling One Foundation, has hosted a special film screening during the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) 2025, which ended recently. The event brought together leading voices from different sectors to highlight how film and television can drive economic growth, preserve culture, and project Africa’s image to the world.
In a statement on Saturday, organisers described the gathering as a high-impact side event that demonstrated the role of creative industries in transforming African economies. The screening featured works from participants in the Film Lab Africa programme, which is a flagship initiative of the British Council aimed at building the capacity of young Nigerian filmmakers and television producers.
Film Lab Africa is designed to equip emerging creatives with the skills, industry knowledge, and professional networks they need to succeed. It also provides an inclusive platform that allows African stories to reach both local and global audiences, strengthening the continent’s creative economy and expanding opportunities for its storytellers.
Country Director of the British Council in Nigeria and West Africa Cluster Lead, Donna McGowan, delivered the keynote address, stressing the need for infrastructure, investment, and collaboration to make the creative sector more sustainable. She said it was important not only to discover talent but also to build lasting systems that nurture and expand it. According to her, investing in people, policy, and platforms will help create an Africa where creative expression grows into a robust and profitable industry.
During a plenary session on promoting African entertainment for economic transformation, experts discussed how the industry could create jobs, influence culture, and encourage inclusive growth. The conversation highlighted the need for long-term strategies to help young creatives turn their skills into viable businesses.
Director of Programmes at British Council Nigeria, Chikodi Onyemerela, said the creative industry should be seen as a key driver of economic progress rather than a side activity. He explained that Film Lab Africa was enabling young Africans to move from simply having talent to turning it into trade. He added that the programme was helping to place African work on global platforms while strengthening local creative networks.
The Chief Executive Officer of Sterling One Foundation, Mrs Olapeju Ibekwe, commended the British Council for its support of African storytellers. She urged for deeper integration of the creative industry into Africa’s development agenda. According to her, the creative sector is the next growth area for Africa’s economy, and initiatives like Film Lab Africa are shaping the continent’s social impact landscape. She said ASIS would continue to provide platforms that amplify African voices and showcase the continent’s creative potential.
The Film Lab Africa screening at the summit was more than just an exhibition of talent. It was a demonstration of how creativity can be a powerful tool for development. The films presented showed the diversity and depth of African storytelling, proving that the continent’s culture and heritage can be preserved while also contributing to economic growth.
By focusing on skills development, international exposure, and collaboration, Film Lab Africa is positioning young Nigerian and African creatives for success in the global market. It is also contributing to the creation of a stronger creative economy that can generate employment, boost tourism, and attract investment.
As the African creative industry continues to expand, events like the Film Lab Africa screening at ASIS serve as a reminder that storytelling is not only an art form but also an economic opportunity. By supporting such initiatives, stakeholders hope to create an environment where African talent can thrive, culture can be preserved, and the continent’s voice can be heard more clearly on the world stage.
