This study investigates how media portrayals of autism in Nollywood films perceived influence on the academic staff of Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), and Trinity University, Yaba. Focusing on prevalent stereotypes and societal attitudes toward Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), the study explores whether cinematic depictions has helped shaping understandings of autism. The study provides a theoretical foundation, examining ASD in the Nigerian context, media portrayals of autism, and the role of film as a cultural medium. Framing theory was employed to analyse how media constructs perceptions of autism, supported by a review of eleven scholarly works on autism representation and Nigerian perspectives. Methodologically, the study employed qualitative semi-structured interviews with LASUCOM and Trinity University academic staff, selected through purposive sampling with assistance from the faculty’s sub-Dean of Paediatrics and Child Health. Data analysis revealed that respondents' awareness of ASD varied with understanding primarily derived from medical training rather than media exposure. While films strengthened existing beliefs, their influence on perceptions was minimal compared to professional expertise. The findings suggest that film-based interventions would be ineffective in altering academic staff's perceptions, as their views are predominantly shaped by clinical experience. The study concludes with recommendations for further research on media's role in shaping autism awareness among different demographic groups, particularly in non-Western contexts like Nigeria.