Tunde Kelani Urges Young Filmmakers to Preserve African Culture Amid Rising Tech Use

Veteran Nigerian filmmaker Tunde Kelani has urged young creatives to remain grounded in African cultural identity while embracing modern technology in their storytelling.

Speaking in an interview with Saturday Beats, Kelani warned that an overdependence on digital tools could weaken originality if not balanced with a strong sense of cultural direction.

He stressed that Africa’s diversity remains a major creative advantage, pointing to the continent’s vast cultural and linguistic richness as a foundation for compelling storytelling.

According to him, Africa comprises dozens of countries, thousands of languages, and a wide range of traditions that filmmakers must continue to explore and document.

Kelani said filmmakers should actively return to indigenous heritage to uncover and preserve cultural narratives that reflect African realities.

He also cautioned young content creators against being overly distracted by technological trends, advising them to prioritise authenticity while using technology as a supporting tool rather than a creative replacement.

The filmmaker encouraged storytellers to draw inspiration from local environments, architecture, colours, and traditions in order to produce works that reflect genuine African experiences.

Kelani added that his long-standing relevance in the industry is rooted in passion and consistency, noting that every film he creates is driven by a deep commitment to expression and storytelling.

He concluded that sustained creativity, rather than technological dependence, remains the foundation of meaningful and lasting work in the film industry.