EU Reaffirms Commitment to Nigeria’s Creative Industry, Short Film Competition Draws 537 Entries

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The European Union (EU) has reaffirmed its strong commitment to youth empowerment, cultural exchange, and the growth of Nigeria’s creative industry, as the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, celebrated emerging filmmakers at the grand finale of the EU Short Film Competition held during the 2025 Zuma International Film Festival in Abuja.

Speaking at the event, Mignot said the EU remained committed to supporting platforms that nurture young talent, amplify African stories, and strengthen cultural cooperation between Europe and Nigeria through film and the creative arts.

The competition, a significant highlight of the 2025 Zuma International Film Festival, received 537 short film submissions following a nationwide call for entries launched on September 5, 2025. Submissions officially closed on November 10, 2025, marking one of the highest participation levels in the initiative’s history.

A professional five-member screening committee constituted by High-Definition Film Studio reviewed all submissions based on established criteria and shortlisted 15 outstanding films for screening at the grand finale.

The shortlisted films were assessed by a distinguished four-member jury comprising Obi Emelonye, multi-award-winning producer and director; Prince Daniel (Aboki), acclaimed filmmaker whose Mai Martaba was Nigeria’s official submission to the 2025 Academy Awards; Emmanuel Eyaba, producer, director, and Public Relations Officer of the Directors Guild of Nigeria; and Bright Wonder Obasi, multi-award-winning writer, producer, director, and curator of the EU Short Film Competition.

At the conclusion of the jury’s deliberations, BLINDSPOT, directed by Angel Gabriel, emerged as the overall winner and received a cash prize of N1.5 million. 1 MINUTE, directed by Xavier Achi, won the First Runner-Up prize of N750,000, while UNDER THE SANE SKY, directed by Victor Eze Onyebuchi, emerged Second Runner-Up with a prize of N500,000.

The event was attended by the Deputy Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Zissimos Vergos; Belgian Ambassador to Nigeria; senior officials of the EU Delegation, Ambassador Pieter Leenknegt; Director General of the Nigerian Film Corporation, Dr. Ali Nuhu; leadership of the Zuma International Film Festival; film industry professionals; students; and emerging filmmakers from across the country. A total of 269 guests were present.

The EU Short Film Competition has continued to serve as a vital platform for discovering new voices, promoting socially relevant storytelling, and strengthening cultural collaboration between the European Union and Nigeria’s vibrant film ecosystem.