In a world where Greek gods like Zeus and Hercules dominate popular culture, the richness of Nigerian mythology often remains in the shadows. David Ezefuna, Chief Technical Officer at Nsibidi Fables Studios, is on a mission to change that. Nsibidi Fables, a Nigerian start-up animation company, aims to bring African and Nigerian stories to the forefront through the power of animation.

David Ezefuna, in a recent interview, shared the origins and goals of Nsibidi Fables. "When we were younger, most of us grew up watching Western shows and adopting a more Western identity," Ezefuna explained. "If you ask Nigerians about our history, many won't know, but they'll recognize figures like Thor and Loki. Most people know Greek mythology more than Nigerian mythology."

Recognizing this gap, Nsibidi Fables was founded with the vision of reclaiming and celebrating Nigerian stories. The team comprises historians, artists, traditional animators, and 3D artists, all working together to craft narratives that resonate with both local and global audiences.

Nsibidi Fables isn't just about traditional storytelling; it's a fusion of art and cutting-edge technology. Ezefuna's background in mechatronics engineering and data analytics has been pivotal in integrating AI and machine learning into the creative process. "We reached out to artists in Nigeria and trained their art into our projects," he said. "Using AI, we amalgamate different artistic formats to tell our stories."

The journey began with rotoscoping—using real-life footage as the basis for animations. However, the team soon transitioned to 3D rendering to achieve more control and creativity. Inspired by the artistic innovations seen in movies like "Into the Spider-Verse," Nsibidi Fables employs AI to stylize frames and add shading, enhancing the visual quality of their animations.

Introducing new technology in any field can be met with resistance, but Ezefuna noted a surprising level of acceptance from Nigerian artists. "We've received no pushback. Instead, there's excitement about the possibilities AI offers," he remarked. "AI is seen as just another tool, not a replacement for traditional art."

Despite the enthusiasm, challenges remain. Creating high-quality animations is resource-intensive and requires significant time and effort. Ezefuna acknowledged the difficulties but remained optimistic, highlighting the community's perseverance and the potential for exponential improvement through AI.

Nsibidi Fables is not just about animation; it's about cultural preservation and representation. By integrating AI, the team aims to elevate Nigerian mythology and stories, making them accessible and engaging for audiences worldwide. "Our mission is to use as many tools as we can to tell inspiring stories from this side of the world," Ezefuna emphasized.

As Nsibidi Fables continues to innovate and grow, their work stands as a testament to the power of technology in preserving and promoting cultural heritage. In the words of David Ezefuna, "It's about time we start telling our own stories to the world."

David delved into several other topics and issues about Nsibidi, the animation industry, and storytelling in an interview granted exclusively to TheACE. Access to the full discussion here.