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The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts [Documentary Filmmaking]

February 1 @ 12:00 AM - April 30 @ 11:59 PM
Free

The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts is a new platform that celebrates the power of storytelling and the brilliance of young Nigerian creators.

Introduced by NLNG as the newest category of The Nigeria Prizes in 2025. The 2026 award spotlights the art of documentary filmmaking. The Prize will focus on young Nigerians aged 18 to 35, who are bold enough to capture Nigeria’s identity with authenticity, depth, and vision. Rooted in the belief that storytelling is the lifeblood of culture, the Prize honours films that preserve our memories, challenge our perceptions, and inspire national pride. It provides emerging filmmakers with meaningful visibility and recognition that will help strengthen Nigeria’s growing cultural legacy.

The theme of IDENTITY invites filmmakers to reflect on what defines us individually and collectively. Entries may explore ideas such as belonging, transformation, heritage, self-discovery, language, gender, faith, or memory. What matters most is authenticity, how each story captures the truth of Nigerian identity through the filmmaker’s unique lens.

Created to stand alongside NLNG’s respected The Nigeria Prize for Literature and The Nigeria Prize for Science, The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts brings global attention to Nigeria’s vibrant creative sector, which remains one of the most dynamic forces shaping culture and opportunity across the continent. The Prize celebrates works that reflect our nation’s resilience, complexity, and imagination.

With a prize value of USD $20,000, the award marks the rise of what is set to become one of Africa’s most important prizes for creative excellence.

The winner(s) will be announced in October 2026 at the NLNG Grand Award Night in Lagos.

Awards & Prizes

The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts 2026
USD $20,000

Rules & Terms

Prize Cycle
• The 2026 Prize cycle opens for submissions on 1 February 2026.
• Entries will close on 30 April 2026.
• No entries will be accepted after the deadline.
• The winner will be announced in October 2026 at NLNG’s Grand Award Night.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Prize is exclusively for Nigerians aged 18–35 (applies to director, producer & writer), 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.

Details by @thenigeriaprizes, @filmfreeway.

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These Event details were last updated on: [23/2/2026]

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Age Restriction
18 - 35 years old