Zuma International Film Festival, facilitated by the Nigerian Film Corporation, is Nigeria's foremost film festival held annually in Abuja in collaboration with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). This festival serves as a convergence point for film professionals and enthusiasts from around the world to network, interact, and explore co-production opportunities. It recognizes cinematic excellence, promotes sustained productivity, and enhances the availability of high-quality audio-visual services. The festival also aims to entrench professionalism and profitability in cultural products and exchanges, including the export of Nigerian films into the global market. Committed to the growth, development, and sustainability of the film industry as a means of job creation and wealth generation, Zuma International Film Festival also seeks to attract foreign investment to the Nigerian film industry while boosting the export potential of Nigerian films. It prides itself as a platform for the global recognition of Nigerian arts, culture, and tourism through films.

The festival features a Market, providing opportunities for production companies, marketers, distributors, and content creators to showcase their products for funding, exhibition, distribution, and marketing.

This year’s theme: Storytelling for Global Influence: Film as a Soft Power and Economic Force, underscores the strategic role of cinema in soft power diplomacy, shaping perceptions, influencing global conversations, and fostering cultural exchange. Film has the ability to transcend borders, offering a compelling medium to share diverse narratives, reshape global perspectives, and strengthen international ties. Beyond its cultural impact, cinema is also a powerful economic driver, generating revenue through international collaborations, content exports, streaming platforms, and film tourism.

By investing in culturally rich and commercially viable storytelling, filmmakers can position their work as both a tool for influence and a sustainable industry. This theme calls for strategic policies, funding mechanisms, and global partnerships that ensure film remains a key asset in both cultural diplomacy and economic development, reinforcing its role as a bridge between cultures and a major contributor to the creative economy.

Awards categories of Zuma Film Festival 2024 includes Best Cinematography, Best Script, Best Animation, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Documentary, Best Foreign Film, Best Student Film, Best Picture and Best Indigenous Film.

Highlights (Five days)

New Film Premiere
Screenings (Competitive & Non-Competitive)
Film Market & Exhibition (Film-X)
Master Classes/Workshops/
Annual Film Lecture
Emerging Talents Workshop
Pitching Session
Zuma Film Festival Awards Night

Venue: Zuma Light Up Night/ Opening Ceremony-Jabi Lake Mall

Main Venue: Abuja

Awards & Prizes

ZUMA Awards presented to:

1.Best Animation/Cartoon
2.Best Documentary
Feature films:
3. Best Picture
4. ⁠Best Cinematography
5. ⁠Best Sound
6. ⁠Best Costume
7. ⁠Best Effects
8. ⁠Best Actor
9. ⁠Best Supporting Actor
10. ⁠Best Actress
11. ⁠Best Supporting Actress
12. ⁠ Best Director
13. ⁠Best Short Film
14. ⁠Best Music Video
15. ⁠Best Skit

⁠Indigenous Language films:
16. Best Yoruba,
17. ⁠Best Igbo
18. ⁠Best Hausa
19. ⁠Best Indigenous Nigerian Film
20. Best Foreign Film.



Rules & Terms

1. ELIGIBILITY:

Clause 1.1: The ZUMA International Film Festival is open to Films/Videos that falls within the theme of the Festival and, produced within the eligibility period set by the Technical Committee.

Clause 1.2: Feature and Documentary films produced between September, 1st 2023 - September, 30th 2025 are eligible for entry in the Competitive Category.

Clause 1.3: Only those persons whose names are on the credit title of the film/video shall be eligible for the competitive awards.

Clause 1.4: The ZUMA International Film Festival Technical Committee reserves the right to reject any film/video which is incompatible with aims of the Festival or which could offend national feelings.

Clause 1.5: Once a film/video had been entered. It cannot be withdrawn from competition during the Festival.

Clause 1.6: No film/video may be screened during the Festival outside Festival official theatres before its official presentation.

Clause 1.7: ZUMA International Film Festival organizers reserve the right to change dates and times and Venue due to unforeseen or natural circumstances.


2. CATEGORIES

Clause 2.1: The Festival has two categories namely; competitive and noncompetitive.

Clause 2.2
Competitive:
This section has the following categories:
✓ Feature Films/ Videos
✓ Documentary Film/Videos
✓ Animation/Cartoon
✓ Children Films/Videos
✓ Student Films/Videos
✓ Short Films/Videos
✓ Music video
✓ Skits
✓ Indigenous language Film (Hausa)
✓ Indigenous Language Film ( Igbo)
✓ Indigenous Language Film (Yoruba)
✓ Indigenous Language Film Nigeria (This category is for Nigerian Films in other languages other than the 3 major languages)
✓ Children Film

Non-Competitive:
✓ Nigerian Panorama: This section admits Feature and Documentary films/videos on Nigeria by Nigerians and non- Nigerian Directors.
✓ Diaspora and African Films: This section admits Feature and Documentary films by Nigerian Directors in Diaspora and by African Directors.
✓ Universal Films: Reserved for films from the rest of the world (excluding Africa).
✓ Retrospectives/Tributes: This section admits Feature and Documentary films which fall outside the above sub-sections, but films must have been produced by veteran filmmakers, living or departed.
✓ Artistic Films/Art House
✓ Emerging Talents Film: This section admits films from budding filmmakers

3. ENTERING FILMS IN THE FESTIVAL

Clause 3.1: A film/video shall be entered only by its Producer/Director for the awards in the competitive category. A producer may enter two or more films in any of the categories: competitive and noncompetitive, but no one film shall be entered in both categories.

Clause 3.2 Quality standards must be met. below 720p resolution, poor audio quality, etc will not be considered.

Clause 3.3: You must own the rights on your film in order to submit it. We are not liable for any copyright infringements or unauthorized usage and any conflict should be settled by the parties involved thereof. You are responsible for any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity.

Clause 3.4: Official participants in the Festival include filmmakers and any other individuals entering works eligible for the Festival and/or invited by the Organizing Committee.

Clause 3.5: English is the Festival working language. Films containing any other language than English must have English subtitles.

Clause 3.6: Entries are to be supported with a statement of synopsis, Poster and Photo of Producer/Director as directed by the FilmFreeway.

4. SCREENING/FORMAT FOR SELECTION

Clause 4.1: The Festival will only allow a maximum of 3 screenings of any film/video selected: while films/video not for competition will be allowed a maximum of 2 screening per film.

Clause 4.2: The Festival accepts entries on Digital Format.

5. DEADLINE FOR PARTICIPATION

Clause 5.1: Entries opens on 4th June and closes on 5th September, 2025.

Clause 5.2: All entries (and supporting materials, including print) must be received by 5th September, 2025.

70 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Maruf Sharker Munna

    I had a wonderful experience at the ZUMA International Film Festival, where my film Homework was officially selected. The overall quality of the festival was impressive, with a strong lineup of films and a very professional screening environment. I truly appreciated the value it provided to filmmakers, offering meaningful exposure and opportunities for creative exchange. Communication from the organizers was clear and timely throughout the process, and they were always supportive and helpful. The hospitality was warm and welcoming, making the entire experience comfortable and enjoyable. I also had great networking opportunities, meeting fellow filmmakers and industry professionals in a positive and inspiring atmosphere. Overall, it was a rewarding experience, and I’m grateful that Homework was part of this well-organized and impactful festival. As a suggestion, it would be great if selected films could have their own custom style posters created or provided, as it would further enhance promotion and give filmmakers a unique visual identity for their work.

    April 2026
    Helpful
  • Emmanuel Ofeno

    It was a great festival. It was a pleasure to have my short film 'Reflection' selected for the film festival.
    Thanks

    January 2026
    Helpful
  • Ramsses Ali Quesada

    It went great. Hope to participate again next time. Regards.

    January 2026
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  • David Noble

    Having three projects selected at the Zuma International Films Festival is an overwhelming honor that has moved me beyond words. Each of these films represents a piece of my heart, countless sleepless nights, and the unwavering dedication of the extraordinary teams who believed in these stories. To see them all recognized together at such a respected festival feels like a validation of everything I've poured into my craft over the years. This moment reminds me why I fell in love with filmmaking—the power to connect, inspire, and touch lives through the art of storytelling.

    December 2025
    Helpful
  • Bernardo Naranjo

    thanks for include my film great fest

    December 2025
    Helpful