EU launches 2025 Short Film Competition for Nigerian youth in partnership with Zuma Film Festival offering prizes and mentorship

EU Short Film Competition kicks off its 2025 edition aimed at empowering emerging Nigerian filmmakers.

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The European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS has partnered with the Zuma International Film Festival to organize the competition.

Targeting Nigerian youths aged 18 to 35, the competition challenges participants to produce a short film of up to three minutes on the theme “Being a Nigerian Youth — Storytelling for Life and Creative Journeys of Nigerian Youth in Today’s World.”

A press release from the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS reveals that the top ten films will be screened at the Zuma International Film Festival.

The grand prize is ₦1.5 million, with ₦750,000 and ₦500,000 awarded to the first and second runners-up, respectively.

Besides cash prizes, the selected filmmakers will benefit from mentorship, networking, and feedback from top industry professionals.

Films must be in English or have English subtitles and will be judged on thematic focus, creativity, storyline, picture, and sound quality.

Building on the success of its debut, this competition reflects the EU’s commitment to promoting film as a vehicle for cultural dialogue and social change.