David Davies Nollywood VFX journey reveals how he created stunning worlds for Jagun Jagun and Lisabi while embracing AI in filmmaking

Nigerian CG artist and visual effects supervisor David Davies has opened up about his journey in Nollywood, revealing the creative challenges behind some of the industry’s most ambitious visual productions, including Jagun Jagun and Lisabi.

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In a wide-ranging interview, Davies discussed the demands of building believable cinematic worlds, the growing influence of artificial intelligence in filmmaking and his vision for the future of African cinema.

With expertise in environment creation, lighting, cinematics, look development and real-time production, Davies has contributed to films released in cinemas and on global streaming platforms, including Netflix and Prime Video.

His portfolio includes major Nigerian productions such as Jagun Jagun, Lisabi 1 and 2, Mikolo, Casa de Novia, Koma, King of Thieves 1 and 2 and Seven Doors.

For Davies, creating visual effects in Nollywood goes beyond adding digital elements to a film. It involves building entire worlds that support storytelling and allow audiences to connect emotionally with the characters and setting.

Reflecting on the projects that tested his creativity the most, Davies highlighted Jagun Jagun and Lisabi as two productions that pushed his technical and artistic abilities.

On Jagun Jagun, he was responsible for developing Ogundiji’s mansion as a digital environment, ensuring the creation blended naturally with live-action footage.

As the VFX supervisor on the project, Davies helped build a fictional civilisation from the ground up, including recreating parts of Ijora, Lagos, as they may have appeared in the early 1990s.

“We also built environments that didn’t exist physically. It was one of those projects that constantly challenged my creativity,” Davies said.

However, he identified Lisabi as the project that stretched him the most creatively, explaining that the challenge was not only producing impressive visuals but designing environments, assets and creatures that felt authentic within the story’s world.

The filmmaker also shared his perspective on artificial intelligence and its growing role in the creative industry.

Rather than viewing AI as a threat, Davies described it as a tool that can help artists improve their workflow by handling repetitive tasks and allowing more time for creative decision-making.

He compared the current AI revolution to previous technological changes in filmmaking, including the transition to 3D software and real-time production tools.

“For me, AI isn’t something to fear. It’s something to understand and use responsibly,” Davies said.

“The artists who learn how to work alongside it will be in a much stronger position than those who ignore it. At the end of the day, AI can generate images or ideas, but it still takes a human to give those ideas purpose, emotion, and a story worth telling.”

The rise of professionals like Davies reflects the growing technical ambition within Nollywood, as filmmakers increasingly invest in visual storytelling that can compete on international platforms.

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The journey highlights how local creative talent is helping redefine the possibilities of African cinema by combining technology, imagination and cultural storytelling.