We interview Tony Abulu, an Nigerian filmmaker and CEO of Black Ivory Communications, whose extensive career spans over 30 years in film, publishing, and international marketing.

Abulu discusses his journey, from his storytelling roots inspired by his grandmother in Edo state to the business lessons learned from his uncle. Despite early societal expectations to pursue sciences, Tony followed his passion for the arts, leading him to launch a film career in the U.S. with African-themed productions like Back to Africa (1997), Doctor Bello (2012), and American Japa (2024).

Tony delves into the challenges and growth of the Nigerian film industry, recounting his path to self-distribution in the middle of piracy and limited cinema culture.

He shares his unique perspective on Afrocentric storytelling, urging more diversity in themes to fully reflect Nigeria’s cultural depth beyond popular Yoruba narratives.

Tony discusses the essential role of the Nigerian government in fostering the creative economy, citing the need for government-backed financial support to address barriers young filmmakers face, like high collateral requirements.

He critiques the millions allocated to Nigeria’s creative sector, expressing concern about its accessibility for grassroots creatives.

Tony’s vision is for a thriving industry powered by robust distribution and monetisation, with platforms like his upcoming Blaze Channel to reach the Nigerian diaspora and enhance economic opportunities for creatives.

This episode offers an inspiring journey through Abulu’s life, insights into the potential of Nigeria’s creative industry, and an earnest call for government and diaspora support to sustain its future.

In this episode, Izu Okafor, a filmmaker passionate about bringing authentic Nigerian stories to the screen, joins us. Izu shares his creative journey, explaining how he started producing and is now making strides toward directing, with an exciting upcoming Israeli-Nollywood project in the works. He talks about the balance between formal education and practical experience, sharing how self-education and guidance from mentors have shaped his career.

Izu dives into the challenges of the film industry, especially with streaming platforms acting as gatekeepers, and highlights the importance of grassroots storytelling that connects with Nigerian culture. He encourages young filmmakers to focus on telling authentic, community-driven stories rather than following mainstream trends, emphasising how these unique narratives resonate locally and globally.

Please tune in to hear more about Izu’s take on work-life balance, his future aspirations, and his insights on the evolving landscape of Nigerian cinema.

In this exciting episode of the Talking Tech With Creatives podcast, I welcome Bee Kapitan, an augmented reality (AR) expert and a creative technologist. Bee shares her fascinating journey from web design to becoming a leader in AR, virtual reality (VR), and XR (Extended Reality) development.

We dive deep into augmented reality, discussing its applications in storytelling and marketing and how authors can leverage AR to create immersive experiences for readers.

We discuss how AR can enhance creative projects, including animating book covers, creating interactive merchandise, and engaging readers through digital overlays on physical products. Bee also shares insights from the London Book Fair, her work in XR communities, and some great resources that will support and guide those interested in venturing into AR.

Whether you're curious about how to incorporate technology into your storytelling or you're fascinated by the future of AR and its possibilities, this episode is a must-listen.

Don't miss Bee's practical tips and inspiration for creatives ready to explore this digital frontier..