Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has announced a $20,000 award for Nigerian documentary filmmakers as it prepares for the 2027 edition of The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, inviting young creatives to tell stories that reveal lesser-known aspects of the country.
The competition, which carries the theme “Nigeria Unseen,” will give filmmakers an opportunity to explore experiences, communities and everyday realities that rarely receive attention in mainstream storytelling. Through documentary filmmaking, NLNG hopes to encourage fresh perspectives on Nigerian society and introduce audiences to stories that deserve wider recognition.
The NLNG Creative Arts Prize is open to Nigerian filmmakers between the ages of 18 and 35, regardless of whether they live in Nigeria or abroad. The competition follows its inaugural edition in 2026 and continues the company’s efforts to recognise creative talent and promote quality documentary production.
NLNG Creative Arts Prize Encourages Untold Nigerian Stories
The 2027 theme challenges filmmakers to look beyond familiar narratives and examine subjects that audiences may have overlooked. However, participants do not necessarily need to travel to remote communities or discover entirely unknown locations to develop a compelling documentary.
Instead, they can revisit familiar environments, everyday activities and social experiences while examining them from perspectives that have received little attention.
The competition also places importance on research, originality and responsible storytelling. Filmmakers are expected to understand the people and subjects featured in their productions, establish trust with their participants and present their experiences accurately.
NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Sophia Horsfall, said the initiative reflects the company’s confidence in Nigerian creative talent and its desire to support meaningful filmmaking.
She explained that documentary production requires time, patience and proper research, adding that the competition would help outstanding filmmakers receive recognition while introducing audiences to different aspects of Nigeria.
The theme therefore provides an opportunity for young creatives to use their skills to document experiences that might otherwise remain outside public attention.
NLNG Appoints Advisory Board for 2027 Competition
As preparations continue, NLNG has appointed a three-member Advisory Board to provide direction and oversee the administration of the competition.
Award-winning filmmaker and producer Femi Odugbemi will chair the board, while journalist and broadcaster Kadaria Ahmed and documentary filmmaker Joel Kachi Benson will serve as members.
The board will guide the development of the prize and protect the integrity of its judging process. It will also promote originality, artistic quality and compelling storytelling throughout the competition.
Odugbemi brings extensive experience in filmmaking, creative education and media development. He founded Zuri24 Media and co-founded the iREP International Documentary Film Festival. He also served as the pioneer Academy Director of the MultiChoice Talent Factory in West Africa.
Ahmed contributes experience in journalism and broadcasting. She is the Executive Director of Daria Media and Managing Director of Radio Now 95.3 FM. She previously worked as a senior producer at the BBC and editor of NEXT newspaper.
Benson is recognised for his documentary and immersive storytelling. His virtual reality documentary, Daughters of Chibok, won the Best Immersive Story award at the 2019 Venice International Film Festival. He also co-directed Madu, which received the Outstanding Arts and Culture Documentary award at the 2025 News and Documentary Emmy Awards.
Their combined experience is expected to support the competition’s commitment to credible, original and socially relevant documentary filmmaking.
Submission Dates and Requirements for Filmmakers
The submission portal for the NLNG Creative Arts Prize will open on 1 February 2027, giving interested filmmakers time to prepare their entries before the closing date.
Applicants must submit their documentaries through FilmFreeway no later than 30 April 2027, at 11:59 p.m. West African Time.
The competition has also established specific requirements for eligible productions. Documentaries must have been produced between January 2026 and April 2027, while each submission must not exceed 20 minutes in running time.
Nigerian filmmakers living outside the country can also participate, provided they meet the stated eligibility conditions.
Interested applicants should review the complete competition guidelines before submitting their productions. Additional information about eligibility, technical specifications and entry procedures is available through the official Nigeria Prizes website.
The $20,000 award makes the 2027 competition an important opportunity for emerging Nigerian documentary filmmakers seeking recognition for their work.
Beyond the financial reward, the initiative provides a platform for young creatives to bring overlooked Nigerian experiences to wider audiences and contribute to how the country documents and presents its stories.