Conversations around the future of African storytelling took centre stage on Wednesday, 6 May, as Young Filmmakers Day opened the week of the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards in Lagos. Held at the Multichoice Studio in Ilupeju, the gathering brought together emerging filmmakers, digital creators and industry professionals for discussions around creativity, technology and the changing realities of the entertainment business.
Panel Session Hosted by Johnnie Walker Blonde
A panel session hosted by Johnnie Walker formed one of the day’s central moments, featuring Stan Nze, Amarachukwu Onoh and Abiodun Odu, with moderation by James Bentong Mbu. The conversation explored how filmmakers and creators are adapting to new audience habits, digital platforms and evolving technologies such as artificial intelligence. Rather than focusing only on visibility or virality, the session examined the practical realities of building sustainable careers in entertainment.
Panelists spoke about creative flexibility, the pressure to evolve with audience behaviour, and the opportunities technology continues to create for younger storytellers entering the industry. Facilitated by Uche Jombo, the wider programme also created room for emerging creators to engage directly with established voices across film and digital media.
Johnnie Walker Blonde’s Broader Involvement
Johnnie Walker Blonde’s involvement reflected its broader focus during the AMVCA week. Alongside Young Filmmakers Day, the brand is also backing the Best Digital Content Creator category at the main awards, reinforcing the growing overlap between traditional film and digital storytelling.
Reflecting on the session, Oyetola Akeredolu, Brand Manager for Johnnie Walker, said the approach is rooted in openness to new ideas. “Our philosophy is built on the world of unexpected expressions,” she said. “What we see with young filmmakers today is a willingness to experiment, to try new formats and to tell stories in ways that feel natural to them. That willingness to evolve is important because the industry itself is changing. A lot of today’s creators are building audiences across different platforms at the same time, and that is shaping how stories travel.”
Setting the Tone for AMVCA Week
As the first event in the AMVCA week, Young Filmmakers Day set an early tone for the conversations that will continue through Icons Night, Cultural Day and the awards ceremony itself. The event underscored the importance of adaptability and innovation in African storytelling, with Johnnie Walker Blonde playing a key role in spotlighting the next generation of creators.
