THE NIGERIA PRIZE FOR CREATIVE ARTS 2026

Entries are invited for The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, with a focus on Documentary Filmmaking. The Prize celebrates and rewards exceptional Nigerian filmmakers, irrespective of residence, who use the power of documentary film to tell authentic stories that preserve Nigeria’s heritage, challenge perspectives, and inspire change.

The winner(s) will receive an award of USD 20,000.00.

Under the 2025 theme, IDENTITY, filmmakers are invited use the genre of documentary film to explore who we are as individuals, communities, and cultures, and how our identities shape our view of the world.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Prize is exclusively for Nigerians aged 18–35, irrespective of residence.
• Only completed non-fiction documentary films are eligible.
• Documentary films must have been completed between April 2024 and April 2026. Any entry outside this timeframe submitted for this year’s competition will not be considered.
• Only short documentary films of no more than 20 minutes will be accepted. Entries must be original works.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) generated imagery, or music will not be accepted.

Submission Process

All entries must be accompanied by a Short Artistic Statement of no more than 250 words, explaining your story, vision, and creative process and photocopy of Nigerian passport or National Identity card or NIN number by the stipulated date.

The entries must be character-driven documentaries centred around individuals, communities, ideas and their narratives. The story should revolve around a protagonist's (singular or collective) experiences or emotions or challenges. This approach fosters deep emotional connections with the audience, making the characters' journeys relatable and compelling. This should be well researched and thoroughly explored.

No member of the Advisory Board, Panel of Judges and members of their immediate families can enter their work(s) for the award in the period in which they are serving and two (2) years thereafter. No entries will be accepted from staff of NLNG and their immediate families.

Only one entry per contestant is permitted each competition year. Entries submitted for this competition will not be accepted in the next competition.

Entries not submitted by the stated deadline and according to the stated conditions shall not be considered.

The Prize will be awarded for no other reason that creative excellence.

FilmFreeway Submission

• Visit www.filmfreeway.com and log in or create a FilmFreeway account if you are new. This is a mandatory step.
• You will be required to fill in the project information, submitter information, credits, and submitter segments on the page and save the project to progress.
• Click on the “FilmFreeway” button on this page, and access the submission form. Complete the form for the listing and use the provided secure viewing URL to either upload your video submission or list the URL link of the location of the video.
• Please note that you can only access this listing through the official URL shared on The Nigeria Prize website @TheNigeriaPrizes.Org and the verified social media pages.
• Ensure that all required fields are completed, and if you are submitting a link, the address must be active and accessible for the judges.
• Upload your attachments which includes your Nigerian data page or your Nigerian Identity Number (NIN) certificate. Also attach your Artistic Statement and your Consent Form which you can download below.
• Double-check your details and submit your entry and checkout.
• You will receive an automatic confirmation email from Filmfreeway upon checkout.
• Submissions are accepted only through the official, non-public FilmFreeway link. Avoid third-party or unofficial links.
• Please note that The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts will not require you to pay any money to send in your entry.

Panel of Judges

A Panel of Judges has been appointed for The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts by the Prize’s Advisory Board.

The persons appointed as judges have wide experience, peer recognition, good public image and command respect in the art of Documentary Filmmaking.