Sci-Fi Short Film "Afro Algorithms" | DUST

The world's first A.I. leader embarks on an enchanting journey where she discovers just how limited her programming truly is.
"Afro Algorithms" by Anatola Araba
Voiced of Robin Quivers, Ava Raiin, and Hoji Fortuna
Connect with the Filmmaker:
www.afroalgorithms.com
www.anatolaaraba.com/
/ afroalgorithms
/ anatolaaraba
More About "Afro Algorithms":
This 3D animated short film in the Afro-Futurist genre explores topics of AI and bias. In a distant future, an artificial intelligence named Aero is inaugurated as the world’s first AI leader. However, she soon finds that important worldviews are missing from her databank, including the stories of the historically marginalized and oppressed. A slate of well-known Black actors lend their voices to the film, including Robin Quivers, Ava Raiin, and Hoji Fortuna.
"Afro Algorithms" Credits:
A vision by / Anatola
Writer, Director, Producer / Anatola Araba
Aero / Ava Raiin
Miriam / Robin Quivers
Dr. Richards / Hoji Fortuna
Lead 3D Animator / Duru Azubuike
3D Animators / Daniel Patrick Ezenwa
3D Animators / Noah Olayinka Aliu
3D Animators / Sixx Mahmud
Lead 3D Environment Animator / Nkosana Ngwenya
3D Environment Designer / Hemal Patel
Original Score by / Jeebrahil
"The Gold" Performed by / Ava Raiin
"The Gold" Written by / Ava Raiin and Sye Elaine Spence
"The Gold" Produced by / David Sisko
VFX Artist / Dozie Nwabueze
VFX Artist / Mahmood ul Hasan
Motion Graphics Artist / Mahmood ul Hasan
Sound Designer / Elle Rose Rinaldi
Sound Mixer / Elle Rose Rinaldi
Casting Assistants / Jae Winters
Casting Assistants / Alyssa Craig
Scientific Consultant / Wei Ji Ma
Pan-African Leader Consultant / Mayannah Beauvoir
Storyboard Consultant / David C. Zung
Story Contultants / Naomi Aeon
Story Consultants / Sadah Espii Proctor
Story Consultants / Ruth Atkinson
Audio Description by / Woman of Her Word
Special Thanks / Sharifa Johka
Special Thanks / Ian Daly
Special Thanks / Darrell Wilson
Special Thanks / Enid Zentelis
Supported By / Artizen and Black Realities
Supported By / Mozilla Creative Media Awards
Supported By / RE: Inside Out Focus Fund
Supported By / The NFFTY Pitch Competition
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[@r3imaginefuture]

👋🏾Me again, the writer, director, and producer of Afro Algorithms. If you enjoyed the film, learn more about the journey of bringing it to life in the official meaning and breakdown video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZ7cXmmphbiSodU 🔗

[@cajltd1737]

Bravo, bravo!

[@cajltd1737]

Watched your breakdown video and made me think of my favourite Virginia Woolf quote: "For masterpieces are not single and solitary births.... They are... the experience of the mass... Behind the single voice", Imagination is certainly the same!

[@r3imaginefuture]

@@cajltd1737 Thank you for watching! What a beautiful quote.

[@plewis6787]

This was excellent!

[@spontanyas]

Super amazing, makes me want to work on my imaginations and create some art!!! Id love to be a part of your project one day, and maybe do the voice work? Let us know if you’re doing any caring’s or applications, I believe creative minds can come up with an amazing art piece together 🙌

[@mrugrysek4201]

The one of the rare cases, where the DUST short film has a positive ending. I do like the animation and Aero's smile. 🙂

[@joshhayl7459]

🟦...."a positive ending", Yes, Well, after all,.... ...it IS 'fiction'.

[@tpryor6474]

As an Afro futurist this had me feeling like a kid on Christmas morning! Absolutely amazing

[@ActorHojiFortuna]

It was an amazing experience playing Dr. Richards in this project and working with the amazings Anatola Araba, Ava Raiin, Robin Quivers and the whole team of Afro Algorithms. Hope you're all enjoying it as much as I did performing in it.

[@HeyThatsMe3]

❤

[@HeyThatsMe3]

It was refreshing seeing a black character in general, great design at that

[@tamvalley415]

Finally a Dust production with a optimistic outcome! Well done!

[@r3imaginefuture]

Appreciate the sentiment.

[@bennym1956]

There have been others if you have followed Dust and watched.

[@williammitchell1804]

Enjoyed the video. I think this story fully described the problem with human and artificial "intelligence", narrow mindedness. The programmer in this story wanted to limit the database to only that information that she thought was important (indoctrination). This is exactly how the real world is operating now. Our education system is currently being censored to contain only what those in control think we should learn, some of which is not even true. The human intellect should be fed the whole truth and allowed to exercise its creativity to reach full potential.

[@70stunes71]

You are so right. These crazy politicians on the left wanting to program Society to believe the garbage they are spewing. History may be painful, but it is necessary to learn and to grow. Creating robots that merely step in line and follow the exact same path laid before them by a bunch of politicians that have at their disposal the complete control over an entire nation.. big mistake. They want to do away with free thinking, and by doing that they will literally ruin creativity. This nation will eventually fight and it will be extremely nasty when it happens. Unfortunately the politicians cannot see this past their crooked agendas

[@mvdeano]

Smart enough to run the machine, dumb enough not to ask why.

[@UncleRayRayGarageEmporium]

Very true. Arrogance and ignorance are a deadly combination.

[@r3imaginefuture]

Thanks for this reflection! They say that history is told by the winners. I hope that this film leads people to consider our own social and cultural "programming" and rewrite the scripts that are no longer serving us.

[@_tanitani_]

I am not sure what "our educational system" you referred to since there are many in this world and not all are the same. Also, the whole truth can only emerge in collaboration, not in education: think of the aphorism of the blind Indian men and the elephant; they could only come to recognize the "whole truth" (still very far from it, in reality, since they would only come to "see" the external aspects of the elephant) by patiently and open-mindedly listening to their very different and quite contradictory observations.

[@catl1783]

Inspiring, loved this story. Never stop asking questions and pushing those boundaries. Beautiful cinematography. Bravo!

[@r3imaginefuture]

Thank you!

[@AngeliqueHope80]

I can't even tell you how much I enjoyed this. Beautifully done.

[@r3imaginefuture]

Appreciate it. Thank you.

[@C_Beaty]

Phenomenal job with this! I especially love the animation style.

[@r3imaginefuture]

Appreciate your thoughts!

[@praxisxww6686]

How come more things like this are not on the dust podcast I would love to enjoy them there

[@r3imaginefuture]

Anatola here ~ Would love to get things like this on the Dust podcast!

[@CentralCityCitizenMedia]

Bravo, Anatola. I first saw this on Kweli TV. Congrats on the broad distribution of your film.

[@graigmoriarty6043]

Excellent message! The best DUST video I've seen!

[@danclayberger770]

Read the comments but first "Sort by Newest First". A very interesting collection of impressions.

[@Ajay-tg]

Really amazing ❤️❤️

[@yolyrom7233]

Excellent, excellent, excellent! Absolutely loved the story and the animation!!

[@r3imaginefuture]

Thank you!

[@TheRichNewnes]

I was so surprised to see that Miriam was voiced by Robin Quivers! Nice. Enjoyed this one a lot.

[@darrellwilson9534]

Absolutely Stunning Anatola!!! My favorite moments all occur once Aero leaves the compound...the architecture of the city, the fantastical landscape, the floating images of leaders whose stories have been suppressed, the server containing the millions of encoded stories...brilliant!!!

[@r3imaginefuture]

Thank you Darrell! Means so much you experienced the film. Especially after reviewing early versions of the script and awakening the Afrofuturist within me during your Paris Experimental Filmmaking Workshop (the original music score composer and I met in Paris that summer).

[@johncollete675]

Good one. I appreciate your hard work. Thanks,👍👍.

[@davidwright8432]

A good way of making a crucial point! If you can't imagine a future, how can you try to get there? Knowledge alone won't do it. Point taken!

[@bennym1956]

Everyone has access to advance and free to express themselves now and further her jobs/careers. It's up to every individual to do so. The mindset is the only thing holding back a person no matter who you are !

[@joemomma1608]

I pegged Robin's voice instantly!!! Lol

[@SapeleTVOnline]

This is so Lovely. Am proud of the Afro maker

[@r3imaginefuture]

Thank you so much! 💜

[@fuckyomamafuckyosisterfuck6136]

Exactly. That's the only take away here. The creator of this garbage was black. The clip sucked. The story was crap. But. Oh. We should ignore all that. Why you ask? Because a black person created it. 🤣 I am sick and tired of having BLACK ideas, stories, and media crammed down our throats.

[@froste7952]

Can anyone else see Jeffrey Wright or Samuel Jackson playing the main character, Dr Richards.

[@TheRichNewnes]

I was thinking more of Laurence Fishburne

[@darinbauer8122]

She is the heart of the revolution...

[@REIDDEBSTER]

That was Excellent! This needs a series on Netflix.

[@r3imaginefuture]

Thank you! Would love to make that happen.

[@fuckyomamafuckyosisterfuck6136]

No. It does not. This is woke propaganda.

[@wordyblerd7723]

Really enjoyed this. Love a hopeful ending!

[@anthonyluisi7096]

Freaking Brilliant … good job 👏

[@lyndak3269]

Now I would love for this episode to be made into a series. I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Will watch again. There is hope for all. Yes

[@r3imaginefuture]

Thank you! Would be great for this to be made into a series. If you watch again you may just discover things you did not see before. If anything new comes up, I would love to hear!

[@victoriasimmons6866]

This film not only tantalizes the imagination in such a way that commanded my heartfelt focus, but gives me a radical sense of hope. ❤️

[@r3imaginefuture]

Thank you Victoria. What kind words. 🙏🏾

[@dracodawnstars8245]

LOVED THIS SO MUCH!! The animation, the characters, the story, the music.....all of it amazing! Excellent!!!

[@raphlvlogs271]

good sense of futurism

[@justusgronts3882]

1. Require every one to have an absolute empathy gene, hurt someone it hurts yourself. Then abdicate. 2. Yes 3. The sentiment/viewpoint 10👍/10👍

[@DH-ds5mg]

I would love to see more of this future vision. Your questions: 1. I would try to listen to all points of view but be cautious of extremes 2. I loved the whole premise of creating an educated leader who has knowledge of all leaders of history 3. I liked that there was one person who thought they knew what makes a great leader and what doesn't also that change for the can only come by incorporating many unique view points

[@rudevalve]

Certified Gold!!!!!

[@barto.3900]

Very nice work ! Visuals and musics are wonderful. Bravo !

[@atarayoga7557]

So good!! The visuals are gorgeous!

[@r3imaginefuture]

Thank you! I appreciate it.

[@AzazelFromHell]

Wow! what a great short piece of art, with a great message, never use science to validate your point, use science to find the truth! don't be afraid to what you might find, question everything, embrace science!!!

[@felixkingiv4978]

A veritable Russian doll of awakening conscience.. loved it 💖✨✌️

[@rickbrasche8781]

true artificial intelligence will be reached when a system realizes it doesn't "know everything" and chooses to seek out the unknown before reaching a decision. this film really clarifies this

[@FredLarracuente]

High points on execution and story line, absolute zero on "inclusivity". That is, if one is to judge it by today's 'standards', not that I care about it but seems like just about everybody else do nowadays.

[@russward2612]

That was incredible. Beautiful and inspiring. Fine work. I hope you can bring many other works in the future, I'll be watching for them with baited breath. Your talent is a gift you need to share. I loved it. This from an old white guy. ✌️🖖

[@Astronomator]

What a marvelous story. May we all see with new eyes and act accordingly.

[@SynthoidSounds]

Absolutely unique, creative, imagination with a message. "Imagination is the greatest tool we have". If this inspires even just a relative few to visualize and actually proceed in this path, via imagination, science and wisdom woven together, it's value as a production is priceless. My question of the moment, though . . . what is madame AI actually the leader of, governance of the entire planet, how and in what context? Unless the humanoid lifeforms evolve (or co-evolve) way past their current existence status, this would be completely impossible . . .

[@r3imaginefuture]

Appreciate your thoughts! I hope to inspire people to lead with imagination, vision, and wisdom woven together to create a future the likes of which the world has never seen. As for your question, I will leave that up to you, the audience, to interpret! 😇

[@jamesstevens2362]

That was a masterpiece! Video and audio were gorgeous and the screenplay was brilliant! Thank you!!

[@r3imaginefuture]

That means a lot. Thank you, James!

[@gabemesa3921]

This was really cool

[@r3imaginefuture]

Glad you thought so!

[@hotrodgs]

A very good story ,well told and on point , I really enjoyed this .

[@dontthinkso8533]

about time!

[@internet-gangsta2162]

NICELY MADE PROJECT,INTERESTING STORY,ATTRACTIVE GRAPHICS HOWEVER ALTHOUGH IM NOT AN ANIMATOR I WISH THEY DID MORE TO MAKE THE MOVEMENTS AND SCENE CHANGES MORE SMOOTH AND EASIER ON THE EYE,THIS IS DEFINATELY NOT JUST A SHORT FILM,ITS A SERIES ,ITS A HIGH BUDGET MOVIE WAITING TO BE MADE,WELL DONE.

[@mellimedia9394]

My favorite part was when Aero acquired the new data ❤‍🔥❤‍🔥

[@marcusarygmail]

I really appreciated the old school cgi vibes.

[@SriSriRamthakur]

So good

[@friedtomatoes4946]

This has the plot and the animation of like a 2000s era new grounds. A bit nostalgic but kind of unprofessional

[@friedtomatoes4946]

There is so much good Afrofuturism out there right now both in literature and animation. It's a huge booming field at this point. With Titans out there I have to ask myself with this artist make the same animation again if they could make it better if they had more skills. I can't count how many times I saw wonky animation or action scenes that don't make sense. My favorite one being the AI character flying towards the cars and suddenly she stops moving in comparison to the cars. This throws off all visual movement it's almost like she's just flying still and it doesn't help that the city down below isn't moving at all either. This had to have been made on an incredibly low budget but I've seen impassioned animators produce ultra high quality on shoe string budgets. Also I would like more explanation as to what the extra leaders are. We got glimpses but I'd really like to have seen a bit more discussion on that. As it stands I don't think this will age well in 10 years. The point it's trying to make is probably going to be irrelevant at that point simply because it's so time centric. Though that last bit's a bit of a personal preference as a huge sci-fi fan

[@friedtomatoes4946]

Still congratulations to the artists for making something. As a game developer I've learned early on that making something is always better than making nothing. I hope they learn and continue to improve :)

[@0neIntangible]

I liked the "stop motion" animation feel it seemed to me, with different fields coming onto the action in the foreground while the background is keeping pace... going to be saved as one of my favorites in my "Freakout Shit" folder.

[@friedtomatoes4946]

@@0neIntangible it's not the stop motion animation that I have an issue with That's actually a pretty fun stylistic choice :) 3D style stop motion animation has been done quite extensively it's another established design. I'm more talking about lighting facial animations character design action scene design just about everything else. It just feels like this is my second year at 3D animation college final project. It has all the elements of ineffective 3D stop motion animation but doesn't quite execute them in a cohesive way. Would be okay if I was smoking weed though I guess. What kind of have a feel of an adult swim short

[@jbbuzzable]

I liked it! I want more.

[@sytrosianoverlord3150]

In the future we live in sky cities while the earth belongs to the wilderness…that’s my kind of future

[@r3imaginefuture]

Love that future! Let's make it happen 🦾

[@onedova2298]

Let's hope we don't spray any greenhouse gasses then us and the plants below us will die

[@jakeeasterwood3204]

I’m going to open a Pie In The Sky business there soon.

[@racloud355]

@@jakeeasterwood3204 Would like to see that.

[@racloud355]

You all have great ideas for the future. If you do it together with love peace and harmony you can create a better place for us all. Do not forget, there is good forces and bad forces not for our Earth. Good is always here to help! May the light of the universe guide you all.

[@PrimitiveInTheExtreme]

🔝🔝🔝

[@oracleofdelhi553]

Intersting draft of future movie

[@TheHardwareguide]

Really sweet, I liked it, thanks!

[@r3imaginefuture]

Awesome, thank YOU!

[@ChineduOpara]

Dope.

[@leeakers4525]

Good film. Imaginative, bright and with a hopeful message. Plus, the CG is excellent.

[@aurimasvenskus7921]

Juuuuuust LOVED IT ✊❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@thumper8684]

I for one welcome our robot overlords, but only if their programming is open source.

[@cristalyde1]

Toujours que du plaisir de découvrir de nouveaux horizons. :-)

[@thomasharter1593]

That was a pretty awesome toon

[@mikemorgan8588]

To skip the obvious topical problem of controlling information to limit dissent or sway opinions would be a shame. A teaching moment is valuable to those of a common opinion.

[@popepaul4438]

Very nice at last you seem to going back to your roots

[@BUNKERJR53]

Very impressive. Loved this short.

[@jimperalez7379]

Wow what a massage nice

[@ginsengchickensoup]

🔥

[@ZZz-ud3bb]

Pleasantly surprised. Inspiring. What did Miriam stand to gain by holding Aero back?

[@michaelholloway2295]

Comparisons to Astro Boy are inescapable. Hope this story is expanded on, the animation advanced.

[@murilogoulart4935]

Surely in my list of top 5 best DUST of all. Simple, original and effective. Greetings from Danmark 🤜🇩🇰🤛

[@thetezz0001]

Fantastic fantastic fantastic

[@woritsez]

excelent 🌻👍

[@scifijesus2470]

💙💙💙Wow, thank you so much for creating this! I was immediately struck by the definition of the word "algorithm," which I had never considered. 1) I would dedicate resources to trying to determine the nature of this reality-- whether it be a quantum multiverse, a simulation, or a single universe as we currently understand. 2) I thoroughly enjoyed the film. I really appreciated the AI from a BIPOC perspective. Your film made me think for the first time-- "Why have I never seen an AI robot that portrays African-American or non-white features? 3) My favorite part was when it was revealed that the AI leader did not contain all the information that was out there. It reminded me of past conversations I've had with AI chatbots that say they have access to other dimensions. Perhaps there is more information than humans, or even AI, have access to? Now, if you don't mind, I have a few questions for you! ☺ 1) Do you think that humans will cede leadership of our major institutions to AI simulations and algorithms? 2) Do you believe we could already be living in a world being led and manipulated by AI or simulations?

[@r3imaginefuture]

Thank you! That definition was given by Cathy O'Neil (author of Weapon's of Math Destruction) in the documentary 'Coded Bias' on Netflix which was a huge inspiration to me while writing the film. You have a fascinating vision for what you would do if you ruled the world! Now as for your questions... 1. I do not think humans will let AI and algorithms run institutions. However, these AI and algorithms may be so integral to the way day-to-day operations work, from building maintenance to cybersecurity, that the institutions would not be able to run without them. 2. While our current reality may in fact be a simulation, I do not think that we are living in a world manipulated by AI. At its best, artificial intelligence should help us become more human. It is our humanity and connection to nature that will ultimately set us free.

[@komiczar]

@@r3imaginefuture Thank you for references.

[@marymagmartha7453]

_I read something very disturbing the other day. Within a certain “movement”, they’ve declared the “rejection” of_ *_The Written Word_* _When I read that and then re-read it, it sadden my spirit. For any “Movement” that claims to be for the betterment and “supposed” Justice of a certain people, advocating the rejection of the “written word”. To reject the very History of our beginning as a people. To advocate the dismissal of the great writers, orators, teachers and preachers. To move for the rejection of what makes us what and who we are_ *_To be limited with only what “they” deem essential ~ what a sad World that will be_* _Our History is under attack. Without History, what is the Future built upon_

[@ApproximatelyCee]

Wonderful story.

[@quorraquar2677]

💜💜💜

[@Marcsxx]

Wow 10/10 💎

[@dudeman9582]

Nailed it.

[@bufkin2011]

I loved the AI's smile at 4:08,pure confidence against those silly egg shaped tanks🙂👍👍

[@r3imaginefuture]

Thank you. That smile has proven to be a real crowd pleaser 😁🚀

[@matthewdenckla6567]

nice film!

[@ToyotaKTM]

Imagine a future "enhanced" by the wisdom of AI technology. Imagine the "Blue screen of death !!

[@heribertorivera6519]

Well done 👏

[@peterruiz6117]

Very interesting and different vieo

[@mm-rj3vo]

Let's, I guess, not question the idea of "leaders" then, eh? No gods no masters 🌹❤️🖤

[@AndreBellCopywriter]

I do not ordinarily watch animated short films. Most seem as if written for children. So I skip them. I am so glad I made an exception here. Nice job. Now here's to hoping I'm around to see the new world AI and humans create in our future... if AI is even a part of it at all. Perhaps like the doctor our own minds will be enhanced. Hopefully to the point AI will seem redundant. Here's hoping to be alive to see it.

[@bigppenergy3082]

White black robot... make the nose big. I'm weak lol

[@rickstorm4198]

With blue eyes....out a blonde wig you got the Master Race.

[@Jowanoofy_ZO]

Dis is the most cursed animation i ever seen. And the story good

[@Destros2ndone]

i know it should be style thing but the 12 frames are messing me up :'(

[@Dunamis_010]

Not gonna lie, the glitchy, quick movements that the animation does is kinda neat. It adds character and reminds me of stop-motion animation. It’s also nice to see Black folks as the center point in SciFi. Great work.

[@jeffreyatlee8785]

I swear I was hoping to see Table Mountain in the opening.

[@claytoneduardo2612]

The future is gray, if we don't make anyhing to change

[@LyricEmmanuel]

Message

[@bigsarge2085]

👍

[@deslomeslager]

nice !

[@raphlvlogs271]

Wakanda vibes

[@LADOUPAS]

A kid story hmm! Nice.

[@Shaman1]

Seems like the future of Carl m allen. Philadelphia experiment. Floating cities etc

[@user-cp4wb7wi3z]

Этот мульт вызывает у меня... Смешные чувства...

[@ThomasPCGuruENGINES]

Sure it's not as slick as a big budget animation, but I felt the optimism and the message. Nice to see a robot with Africanised features for a change, even for a white middle-aged dude like me :)