Five documentary films have reached the final stage of the inaugural Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts (NPCA), following the conclusion of the latest round of judging on August 25, 2026.

The selection reduces the field from the 11 nominees announced earlier and places the five filmmakers in contention to become the first winner of the Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts.

The 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 Ayodele Aiwuyuse; and Women of Salt: The Resilience of Ebonyi’s Women by Jessica Chinyere.

The five finalists emerged from the first edition of the Prize, which received 98 entries from young Nigerian creatives. The submissions responded to the theme, “Identity,” which challenged filmmakers to examine Nigeria, its people, communities and cultures, as well as the changing understanding of what it means to be Nigerian.

Their progression represents another major milestone in the maiden edition of the competition, following the movement from the original pool of submissions to 11 nominees and now five finalists.

Sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), the Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts was established in 2025 to identify, recognise and promote outstanding creative works produced by Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 35.

The Prize, valued at US$20,000, is designed to provide emerging documentary filmmakers with an opportunity to present original Nigerian stories while gaining recognition for their work both nationally and internationally.

The five selected films offer different interpretations of the Nigerian experience and continue the exploration of identity that has characterised the inaugural edition of the Prize.

Their subjects range from the resilience of women in Ebonyi to life around Tarkwa Bay and the character of Okrika, alongside other personal and social narratives. Collectively, the works highlight the varied experiences that shape contemporary Nigeria.

The shortlist also reflects the strength of emerging creative talent in the country and the increasing confidence among young filmmakers to document Nigerian experiences through their own perspectives.

Commenting on the progress of the competition, the chairperson of the Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, said the quality and range of the entries demonstrated the depth of Nigeria’s emerging creative talent and showed that young filmmakers could engage thoughtfully with the country’s stories.

With five documentaries now remaining in contention, the competition moves into its final adjudication stage. The winner is expected to be announced at NLNG’s Grand Award Night in October 2026.

The winning documentary will become the first work to receive The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts.

Source Leadership.ng