EU, Zuma Film Festival Announce 2025 Short Film Competition for Young Nigerian Filmmakers

The European Union (EU) Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, in collaboration with the Zuma International Film Festival, has launched the 2025 edition of the EU Short Film Competition, targeting emerging filmmakers in the country.

The competition aims at enriching participants’ knowledge in modern filmography and exposing them to emerging trends in the industry.

A press release issued by the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS said the top ten entries in the competition would be screened at the festival. The overall top entry will receive a cash prize of N1.5m (one million, five hundred thousand naira) for the winner; N750, 000 (seven hundred and fifty thousand naira) for the first runner up; and N500, 000 (five hundred thousand naira) for the second runner up.

According to the press release, the ten lucky up-and-coming filmmakers will have the opportunity to network with top professionals and access mentorship as well as receive insightful feedback from leading voices in the Nigeria film industry.

Participants are required to make a short film of three minutes maximum on the theme “Being a Nigerian Youth”- Storytelling for Life and Creative journeys of Nigerian Youth in today’s world

The top winner will be announced after the screening of the top ten selected entries at the festival. The competition is open to only people from ages 18-35 and must speak to the competition’s theme. According to the organizers of the competition, entries will be judged based on predetermined criteria, including thematic focus, storyline and message, creativity, picture, and sound quality.

This year’s event builds on the success of the debut edition last year and reflects the EU’s recognition of film as a potent tool that drives social change and cultural dialogue.

GUIDELINES
Entry Requirement
Must be a youth between ages 18-35 years old.
Entry must be on the stated theme of the competition.
All entries must be a maximum of 3 minutes.
Entries are only received within the stated deadline.

Entries in any other language other than English are accepted, but MUST have English subtitles.
Only one entry from a filmmaker is acceptable per.

To learn more, visit @euinnigeria and @hdfilmacademy pages on Instagram or www.hdfilmacademy.com

UK-Based Nollywood Star Adenike Alajogun Hosts 2025 Odun Ifa Festival in Ondo State

The ancient city of Akure, Ondo State, is agog as popular United Kingdom–based Nollywood actress, movie producer, and businesswoman, Adenike Alajogun, has arrived Nigeria to celebrate her “Odun Ifa Festival” 2025 in grand style.

Alajogun, who is also the owner of the popular Maatan Hotel, Ibadan, and known as the Iya Aje Olokun, jetted into the country a few days ago for the cultural celebration.

The colourful three-day event kicked off yesterday, Tuesday, September 2nd, at Ijomu Osue’s Palace, Akure Town, Ondo State, and will run till Thursday, September 4th.

According to the programme lineup, Tuesday (Day 1) was dedicated to “Wiwe Ifa” and consultation, where devotees and guests can consult and listen to the voice of Oracle. Today (Day 2) has been reserved for a grand party at the compound of the Osue, while Thursday (Day 3) will feature the voice of Ifa session, where Babalawos from home and abroad will deliver messages of guidance and blessings.

This year’s edition, themed “Edu Alajogun 2025”, is being hosted by Chief Famuwagun Akomolafe, the Osue of Akure Kingdom.

Adenike Alajogun took to her Facebook page yesterday to express her excitement, writing:

“My Odun Ifa started today in grand style. Ifa mi a fohun rere simi and to my lovely family and friends/followers.”

Her post has since attracted hundreds of congratulatory messages and goodwill prayers from fans, colleagues, and admirers across the globe.

As expected, top dignitaries, traditional leaders, and Yoruba movie industry stars are set to grace the event, making it one of the biggest highlights of the ongoing Isese season in Yorubaland.

With Adenike Alajogun at the centre of it all, the festival promises to be a colourful blend of tradition, spirituality, and cultural pride.

Nigerians In UK Celebrates Lancelot Imasuen’s 30 Years Behind The Camera, Premieres First Ever Dual Movies In Edo Language

Sunday August 31st will remain a day to be remembered as several fans, friends, followers and lovers of Ambassador (Dr.) Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen, aka D’Guvnor, thronged out in their numbers at Alpha Lounge, United Kingdom, where he was hosted to a superlative luncheon to herald the celebration of his 30 years on stage in Nollywood industry.

As part of the programmes lined up to mark the celebration of the exploits of this Nollywood front line director and Africa’s most consistent filmmaker, London was agog over the weekend with dignitaries from all parts of the world celebrating his exceptional contributions to the global stage through films and motion pictures.

Top celebrities like Nosa Rex and his wife, popular presenter Yaw, of Wazobia fame and veteran Nollywood superstar, Victoria Iyama, Nigerian politician, EJ Agbonayinma (Former Lawmaker, Federal House of Representatives and now Federal Commissioner of the Public Complaint Bureau, Abuja), Mr kede Ahie, Publisher of the Nigerian Magazine UK, film producer and international make-up Guru, Cleopatra Starrets, UK based South African singer, Nicole. Others are; top Comedian Pokcupine, miltiple award winner filmmaker, Amen Imasuen, UK based anchor and Comedian, Valiho and MC Ebabayaokpa were all on ground to celebrate with the D’Guvnor

Top UK promoters, JJ Barry conglomerate, 24beats, Osazuwa Omede multi media, Richie Rich entertainment, Liosky movies were all on the ground, and they also put the celebrations together in honour of D’Guvnor himself.

Top flight personalities, and professionals of Nigerian extractions in UK were all present as well to witness the first ever dual movie, high class Edo language and Edocentric movie premiere made entirely in Edo language as part of the celebration.

This is the beginning of a 2-week planned programme to celebrate D’Guvnor. That will also feature the unveiling of his books, which will become the climax at Alliance Française, Mike Adenuga Centre In ikoyi Lagos, alongside several other program

Part of these programmes will be the 2025 International Students Film Festival, ISFF, being hosted by Imo State University in Owerri.

It’s going to be a bumper arrangement in celebrations of a man who has given his all in the empowerment of youths through films, a man who has given his all, his childhood, his youth to the development of film industry and motion pictures in Nigeria and Africa at large and undoubtedly one of the greatest export of local contents from the shores of Africa to the world.