Eleven Young Filmmakers Advance In Race For $20,000 Nigeria Prize For Creative Arts
NLNG Reveals Longlist for Maiden Creative Arts Prize
THE Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited has unveiled the 11 longlisted nominees for the inaugural edition of The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts (NPCA), marking a significant milestone in the promotion of documentary filmmaking and emerging creative talent in Nigeria.
The announcement was made during the 18th CORA–The Nigeria Prize for Literature Book Party held at the MUSON Centre in Lagos, where organisers officially introduced the longlist selected from 98 entries submitted by young Nigerian documentary filmmakers.
The new prize, valued at 20,000 US dollars, replaces the former Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism and broadens NLNG’s long-standing investment in Nigeria’s creative ecosystem by focusing on documentary storytelling.
Young Filmmakers Explore the Theme of Identity
The maiden edition challenged participants between the ages of 18 and 35 to produce documentaries interpreting the theme “Identity.”
Entrants explored diverse aspects of Nigeria’s social fabric, including culture, history, traditions, communities, heritage and contemporary realities, using documentary film as a medium to examine how identity continues to evolve within the country.
The 11 selected documentaries reflect a broad range of subjects and perspectives. The longlisted works include Mi Tazi by Blessing Bulus, Women of Salt: The Resilience of Ebonyi’s Women by Jessica Chinyere, No Food for Lazy Men by Unmi Bukar, Àkúdàáyà by Dominic Fayenuwo, Arugba: The Weight of Purity by Tosin Keshinro, Argungu Fishing Festival by Ibrahim Khalil Bala, Beyond Tarkwa Bay by Peter Oghenetega, Calabar My Calabar by Joseph Okulaja, Mara Mania by Feranmi Abiola, Okrika by Abraham Ayodele Aiwyuse and Far From Home by Aimalohi Ojeamiran.
The finalists will now proceed to the next stage of adjudication before a shortlist of three finalists is announced ahead of the grand finale in October.
Organisers Celebrate Emerging Creative Talent
Chair of the Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, described the quality and diversity of the submissions as evidence of Nigeria’s growing pool of young creative professionals.
According to her, the 98 entries received for the inaugural edition exceeded expectations and demonstrated the willingness of young filmmakers to tell authentic Nigerian stories through documentary cinema.
She noted that the selected documentaries preserve cultural memory while encouraging deeper conversations about identity, heritage and the lived experiences of Nigerians.
Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo also observed that documentary filmmaking continues to evolve as an important platform for education, historical preservation and social engagement.
Prize Expands Opportunities for Documentary Filmmakers
The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts is designed to identify, recognise and support outstanding documentary filmmakers while creating greater visibility for Nigerian creative content.
The winner, to be announced during NLNG’s Grand Award Night scheduled for 9 October 2026, will become the first recipient of the prestigious prize and receive the 20,000-dollar award.
Industry observers view the initiative as another major investment in Nigeria’s creative economy, providing young filmmakers with national recognition and encouraging the production of original documentaries that reflect the country’s diverse cultures and experiences.
