New Initiative Seeks To Reposition African Faith-Based Films Globally
Africa Gospel Film Project Launched to Build New Generation of Faith-Based Filmmakers
New Initiative Targets Skills, Spirituality, and Global Reach
ABUJA Gospel Cinema International has announced the launch of the Africa Gospel Film Project (AGFP), a multi-year initiative aimed at strengthening Africa’s faith-based film industry through professional training, spiritual formation, and international distribution.
The project was unveiled by the President of Gospel Cinema International, Mr. Bright Wonder Obasi, who described AGFP as a strategic response to the underrepresentation of African Christian films on global platforms, despite the continent’s large Christian population.
Africa is home to an estimated 600 million Christians, yet faith-based films from the continent remain marginal in international catalogues. According to Obasi, this imbalance informed the creation of AGFP as a platform to nurture skilled storytellers capable of producing high-quality Christian content that resonates locally and competes globally.
Training and Production at the Core
The Africa Gospel Film Project is designed as a capacity-building and production-focused programme. Its first phase will feature a six-day Immersive Filmmaking and Spiritual Formation Programme scheduled to take place in Nigeria from 13 to 18 April 2026.
The programme will bring together aspiring and emerging Christian filmmakers for intensive training across key areas of film production, including screenwriting, directing, cinematography, editing, producing, and acting. Beyond technical skills, participants will also undergo spiritual mentorship intended to align creative excellence with faith-driven storytelling.
Following the training phase, AGFP plans to produce an eight-episode faith-based television series later in 2026, providing participants with hands-on production experience and exposure to professional filmmaking standards.
Film as a Tool for Cultural Influence
Obasi emphasized that the project goes beyond filmmaking as a technical exercise, describing film as one of the most influential tools shaping beliefs, values, and culture in contemporary society.
“Africa Gospel Film Project is not just about making films; it is about shaping storytellers who understand both excellence and spiritual responsibility,” he said.
He noted that AGFP would focus on collaborative production models and global distribution pathways, ensuring that African Christian stories reach audiences beyond national borders.
Addressing Decline in Christian Films
Commenting on the decline of Christian films in Nigeria and across Africa, Obasi attributed the trend to overreliance on verbal preaching at the expense of visual storytelling. He also cited inadequate funding, weak distribution networks, and limited engagement with youth realities as contributing factors.
According to him, many faith-based films became overly preachy, sacrificing cinematic quality and narrative depth, which led to reduced audience appeal—particularly among younger viewers.
A Shift Toward Relevant Storytelling
AGFP, Obasi said, aims to reverse this trend by prioritizing strong storytelling, modern production techniques, and narratives that reflect real-life experiences. By doing so, the project seeks to reconnect Christian films with younger audiences through compelling and culturally relevant content.
“Our focus is to engage youth through relevant narratives, professional training, and modern platforms, making faith-based films compelling, competitive, and culturally impactful again,” he said.
Open for Partnerships
Applications are currently open for partnerships and collaborative discussions. Obasi reaffirmed that Gospel Cinema International remains committed to developing, producing, and distributing Christian films that inspire faith and shape culture globally.
