The Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria (KCCN) invites Nigerian filmmakers and creatives to submit original short films for the inaugural KCCN Short Film Contest 2026. This open-theme contest celebrates creative storytelling from a Nigerian perspective with a meaningful nod to Korean culture. Winning works will be screened at the Korean Film Festival 2026, alongside exciting prizes and the possibility of a collaboration with KCCN.

1. ABOUT THE CONTEST

The contest is open-themed meaning there are no restrictions on what your film is about. You could tell a love story set in Lagos, a documentary about community life in Kano, or a docu-drama exploring identity in Port Harcourt. The only creative requirement is that your film must include at least 5 seconds or more of content related to Korean culture. This could be as subtle as Korean décor on a wall, characters sharing a meal of Korean food, a hanbok in the background, or the sound of Korean music in a scene. The choice is yours we simply ask that Korea has a place in your world.

2. ELIGIBILITY

•         Open to all Nigerian citizens and residents

•         Individual filmmakers are welcome to apply

•         Participants must be 18 years of age or older at the time of submission

•         Students and emerging filmmakers are strongly encouraged to apply

3. FILM SPECIFICATIONS

Duration: 10 – 20 minutes

Genre: Fiction, Documentary, or Docu-Drama

Language: English (with English subtitles)

Format: MP4 (H.264 codec), Full HD (1920x1080) preferred

Production Window: Film must have been produced within the 12 months preceding the submission deadline

4. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Each entry must include all of the following:

•         Completed official entry (google)form

•         Director's statement (300 – 500 words)

•         Short synopsis of the film (maximum 150 words)

•         Film stills: 2 – 3 high-resolution images from the film

•         Proof of adaptation rights (required only if the film is based on a copyrighted work)

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY

5. WHY ENTER?

This is more than a film competition. It is a bridge between two rich storytelling cultures; Nigerian and Korean. Winners will have their films officially screened at the Korean Film Festival 2026, receive prizes and recognition from KCCN, and the Grand Prize winner will be considered for a collaboration with KCCN. Your film could be the beginning of something much bigger.

6. JUDGING CRITERIA

All submissions will be reviewed by a panel of judges comprising Nigerian film professionals’ courtesy of Kaduna International Film Festival (KADIFF), cultural ambassadors, and representatives from the KCCN. Films will be scored across the following criteria:

·         Screenplay – 10%

·         Production Design – 10%

·         Sound Production – 10%

·         Cinematography – 10%

·         Acting – 10%

·         Directing and Narrative Technique – 10%

·         Costume & make up – 10%

·         Cultural Integration – 10% (Authenticity and creativity in incorporating at least 5 seconds or more of Korean cultural elements without feeling forced)

·         Music Score – 10%

·         Editing – 10%

Note: Judges will give particular attention to how Korean cultural elements are woven into the narrative. Films that treat the cultural requirement as an organic part of the story rather than an afterthought will be viewed more favourably. However, kindly note that the Korean cultural elements is only a small part of the judging criteria. Submitted works will strongly be considered based on other important criteria for film making.

7. PRIZES & RECOGNITION

Grand Prize Winner

•         Official screening of the winning film at the Korean Film Festival 2026 in September in collaboration with Kaduna International Film Festival (KADIFF)

•         Other gifts and certificate of recognition from KCCN

•         Opportunity to collaborate with KCCN (subject to creative alignment)

•         Feature interview on KCCN's official platforms and partner media

Runners-Up & Honourable Mentions

·         Official screening of the winning film at the Korean Film Festival 2026 in September in collaboration with Kaduna International Film Festival (KADIFF)

·         Other gifts/Certificates of recognition from the Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria

8. CONTEST SCHEDULE

•         Submission begins: 4th May 2026

•         Submission Deadline: 31^st July 2026

•         Winners Announcement: 4th September 2026

•         Korean Film Festival 2026 Screening – Within 4th Week of September

9. TERMS & CONDITIONS

•         Submissions must be original works. Any plagiarism or copyright infringement will result in immediate disqualification.

•         By submitting, participants grant KCCN a non-exclusive licence to screen, promote, and archive the film for cultural and educational purposes.

•         Participants retain full ownership and copyright of their work.

•         KCCN reserves the right to verify the eligibility of any submission.

•         Films containing hate speech, explicit content, or material deemed offensive will be disqualified.

•         The decision of the judging panel is final and not subject to appeal.

•         All submissions must be made through the official KCCN submission portal. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY