The second edition of the European Union-National Film Institute Students Film Festival themed “Film Making in the Digital Age: A Techno-Creative Approach to Cultural Advocacy” ended yesterday September 29th, 2026 in Jos, Plateau State with glitz and celebration, as student filmmakers were honoured across various award categories for outstanding creativity and technical excellence.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, His Excellency Gautier Mignot, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS commended the students for their storytelling prowess, noting that their works reflect a promising future for African cinema. He reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to supporting youth creativity and capacity development in Nigeria’s creative sector.
Ambassador Mignot averred that the National Film Institute, Jos continues to play critical roles; supporting skills development within Nigeria’s creative ecosystem. “I am pleased with this history-making institution (NFI), where young Nigerians are being equipped with the skills to become filmmakers and to transform their experiences, communities and questions into compelling stories”, he further said, adding that the festival objectives align with several areas of EU engagements, which includes youth empowerment, education, culture, the creative industries, people-to-people exchanges and the strengthening of EU-Nigeria relations.
In his keynote remarks, Dr. Ali Nuhu, Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) described the two-day (September 28th -29th, 2026) film festival activities as not merely an event; but a statement that the NFC-NFI and the European Union believe in offering opportunities for young Nigerians to shape their storytelling capabilities. He said that the EU-NFI partnership was driven by a common vision; shared mission; headed towards one destination- which is building strong cross-broader and enduring cultural bridges. “Far too long, the struggles by our filmmakers in storytelling is seemingly ending. The rise in the number of cultural advocates and the impact they create through the stories they tell and pictures we see, assures us that the scaling of skills and competences as well as the creation of learning opportunities, especially for our emerging talents, need be sustained”.
Dr. Nuhu congratulated winners of the various competitive categories of entries and all participants, describing their performances as a testament to the quality of training at the National Film Institute. He urged the students to sustain professionalism in the learning environment, and use film as a tool for self and national development.
Prof. Pomak Frank Tengya, Rector of the National Film Institute, assured the readiness of the institute to host the 2027 edition. He announced the winners of the second edition; to include BEST SOUND – Rev Kola, by Osakpolo Authur; BEST DOCUMENTARY – Carrying a Legacy, by Badung Chuhwak; BEST ANIMATION – Coming Home, by Habubu Risku; BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY – Dusk Till Dawn, by Longtong Tang’an; BEST DIRECTOR- They Call Me Mother, Esther Onyinyechi Nnamani; and BEST SHORT FILM – They Call Me Mother, by Esther Onyinyechi Nnamani. Each, won the One Hundred Thousand Naira (#100.000) prize.
The festival, organized by the National Film Institute, Jos in partnership with the EU, featured screenings, masterclasses and competitions aimed at nurturing the next generation of Nigeria’s filmmakers.
