French-Cameroonian filmmaker Sébastien Onomo stunned audiences in Nairobi on Monday with the revelation that he spent over 0.8 billion Kenyan shillings (EUR 6.3 million) to produce his animated feature film, Allah Is Not Obliged.
The 2023 Asia Pacific Screen Award winning animator made the announcement during a special screening of the film hosted by the Association of Animation Artists in Kenya at the Alliance Française Nairobi on 15th September 2025.
The film, based on the acclaimed novel by Ivorian author Ahmadou Kourouma, tells the harrowing story of Birahima, a young boy who flees his village in Côte d’Ivoire for Liberia in search of his aunt.
His journey takes a dark turn when he is forcibly recruited into a rebel militia, becoming a child soldier.
Through vivid animation and emotional depth, the film explores the brutal realities faced by thousands of children across Africa caught in the crossfire of armed conflict.
Sebastien, known for his commitment to socially conscious storytelling, said the film was a labour of love and a call to action.
“My goal was to shed light on the tragedy of child soldiers and to highlight the absurdity of war” he told attendees during a post-screening discussion. “I never expected to make immediate returns from the project.”
The production spanned seven years and involved over 200 creators from multiple countries, including Saudi Arabia and Canada.
The international collaboration, financed through a unique co-production framework which utilized expertise from each of the partner countries, brought together animators, voice actors and designers to craft a visually compelling and culturally resonant narrative.
The Nairobi screening drew a diverse audience of filmmakers, students and film sector investors, many of whom praised the film’s bold approach and powerful message.
The screening was part of the Creation Africa programme implemented by the Alliance Française Nairobi and the French Embassy in Kenya.
The initiative aims to provide 10 selected animation studios from across East Africa with the skills and networks they need to compete in the global animation industry