Five documentary filmmakers have been shortlisted for the inaugural Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts (NPCA) after a rigorous judging process narrowed the field from 11 nominees.
Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku, Manager, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.
The five shortlisted documentaries are Beyond Tarkwa Bay by Peter Oghenetega-Oke; Mara Mania by Feranmi Abiola; No Food for Lazy Man by Ummi Bukar; Okrika by Abraham Aiwuyuse; and Women of Salt: The Resilience of Ebonyi’s Women by Jessica Chinyere.
The finalists emerged from 98 submissions by young Nigerian creatives for the maiden edition of the prize, which focused on the theme “Identity”.
The theme challenged filmmakers to explore Nigeria, its people, communities and cultures, as well as the evolving understanding of what it means to be Nigerian.
Sponsored by NLNG, the Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts was established in 2025 to identify, recognize and promote outstanding creative works by young Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 35.
The winner will receive a cash prize of $20,000 and become the first recipient of the Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts.
According to the organizers, the shortlisted documentaries offer diverse perspectives on the Nigerian experience, examining issues ranging from the resilience of women in Ebonyi to life around Tarkwa Bay, the character of Okrika and other personal and social narratives.
Prof. Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, Chairperson of the Advisory Board for the Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, said the quality and diversity of the submissions demonstrated the depth of emerging creative talent in Nigeria.
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She said the young filmmakers had demonstrated an ability to engage thoughtfully with Nigerian stories while presenting them from distinctive personal perspectives.
With the field now reduced to five finalists, the final stage of adjudication will determine the winner, who will be announced at NLNG’s Grand Award Night scheduled for October.
The winning documentary will become the first work to receive the Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts.
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