Events

SDGs Short Film Challenge 2025 Inspires Global Youth Creativity

Published

10 months ago

November 23, 2025

SDGs Short Film challenge 2025 celebrates young filmmakers worldwide using storytelling to advance sustainable development goals

Abuja is set to host the Grand Finale of the 3rd Edition of the SDGs Short Film Challenge 2025 on Tuesday, 9 December, transforming the Nigerian Army Conference Centre and Suites into a hub of creativity, innovation, and sustainable development advocacy.

Also read: India-Nigeria Film Collaboration Celebrated in Abuja

Since its inception in 2023 with just 73 submissions, the Challenge has grown exponentially, receiving 2,265 entries from 140 countries this year.

The initiative, jointly organised by OSSAP-SDGs, the United Nations Information Centre, and FreshNEWS Multimedia Networks, empowers young filmmakers to advance the 2030 Agenda through storytelling.

Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, described the Challenge as “a dynamic vehicle for mobilising young people to interrogate developmental issues, provide homegrown solutions and inspire society through the creative power of film.”

The 2025 Grand Finale is more than an awards ceremony. It features an Exhibition Centre showcasing SDG-themed artworks, screenings of shortlisted films tackling pressing issues like climate action, gender equality, education, health, and responsible consumption, as well as dialogue sessions connecting youth, policymakers, and civil society actors.

The event culminates in a Red Carpet Gala Night and the Awards Presentation, celebrating young talent while fostering international exposure, mentorship opportunities, and global creative networks.

The Challenge reflects a growing global youth movement committed to using storytelling as a tool for social change. Films submitted annually confront injustice, challenge stereotypes, and highlight inequalities, proving that young people are active architects of sustainable development.

With anticipation mounting for 9 December, Abuja will welcome filmmakers, diplomats, development partners, creative industry figures, and youth leaders, all converging to celebrate creativity, advocacy, and innovation.

Also read: Silva Urges Action to Revive Tinapa Film Village

The SDGs Short Film Challenge 2025 reaffirms that storytelling is one of the most powerful tools for accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals—one film at a time.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

1 week ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

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Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

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Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”