LIFANIMA @10: N22.5 million prizes on offer as animation festival gets 1,298 short film entries from over 120 countries
By Editor
LIFANIMA, Nigeria’s first and only animation film festival, has announced the close of submissions for its landmark 10th anniversary edition, recording an unprecedented 1,298 animated short film entries from more than 120 countries across the globe. The overwhelming response underscores LIFANIMA’s growing reputation as one of Africa’s leading platforms for animation, storytelling, creativity and industry collaboration. Since its inception, the festival has provided a unique platform for showcasing outstanding animated films, nurturing emerging talent, promoting cultural exchange and connecting African creators with the global animation community.
Scheduled to hold October 20 — 22, 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria, the 10th anniversary festival promises to be the biggest edition in the festival’s history. Audiences and industry stakeholders can look forward to an exciting programme featuring international film screenings, masterclasses, workshops, networking sessions, panel discussions and special events celebrating a decade of excellence in animation.
A major highlight of this year’s festival is the introduction of the NOA Animation Awards, sponsored by the National Orientation Agency (NOA). The awards will offer a total of ₦22.5 million in cash prizes, making it one of the richest animation awards on the African continent. The NOA Animation Awards seek to inspire Nigerian animators to harness the power of animation as a tool for promoting positive values, national orientation and social development while encouraging world-class creativity among the country’s growing community of animation professionals.
Those who entered for the NOA Awards were asked to make a 3-minute animation film on the theme that answers the question, Who is a Real Nigerian? Winners will go home with prizes that range from N10 million for first prize, N7.5 million for the second position to N5 million for the third best short film.
Speaking on the milestone, the Festival Director, Muyiwa Kayode, expressed delight at the unprecedented global participation, noting, “Receiving 1,298 submissions from over 120 countries is a remarkable achievement and a testament to how far LIFANIMA has come in the past 10 years. We are proud that creators from every region of the world continue to see Nigeria as an important destination for animation. The introduction of the NOA Animation Awards further demonstrates our commitment to growing the industry while encouraging animation that positively impacts society.”
As preparations intensify, an international panel of industry professionals will begin the rigorous selection process to determine the Official Selections, nominees and eventual award winners.
LIFANIMA therefore invites filmmakers, animation studios, students, industry professionals, investors, government agencies, corporate organisations and animation enthusiasts to join the celebration of 10 years of African animation excellence in Lagos this October.
LIFANIMA is Nigeria’s Animation Film Festival, dedicated to celebrating excellence in animation while promoting creativity, innovation, education and industry development. Since its inception, the festival has served as a premier platform for showcasing animated films from Africa and around the world, fostering international collaboration and advancing the growth of Africa’s animation ecosystem.
LIFANIMA is proudly presented by USP Communications Limited, with sponsorship support of our official partners: National Orientation Agency (NOA), Embassy of France in Nigeria, Bank of Industry and Checkers Africa Limited, makers of Checkers Custard. Media contact at festival secretariat: lifanimafestival@gmail.com and www.lifanima.com.
Festival Director, Mr. Muyiwa Kayode
