BIFFEST 2026 - Awards, Rules & Terms

Official Competition 2026

The Golden BENIFFEST Awards

Celebrating excellence in African and international cinema with over ₦50,000,000 in prizes, production grants, and industry opportunities.

The Ada Ameh Prize for Excellence in Feature Filmmaking

Top Prize

Best Feature Film

For outstanding achievement in long-form narrative cinema

₦1,500,000

  • • Golden BIFFEST Trophy
  • • Distribution deal pitch
  • • Pan-African theatrical release
  • • Festival tour package (5 festivals)
Major

Best Director

Exceptional vision and leadership in filmmaking

₦1,000,000

  • • Director's Chair Trophy
  • • ARRI camera equipment rental (₦5M value)
  • • Netflix Talent Development Lab invite
  • • Mentorship with Akin Omotoso
Major

Best Documentary

Excellence in non-fiction storytelling

₦500,000

  • • Documentary Achievement Award
  • • Hot Docs Forum submission fee covered
  • • IDA (International Documentary Assoc.) membership
  • • Post-production grant (₦1M)
Shorts

Best Short Film

Outstanding short-form narrative (under 40 min)

₦300,000

  • • Short Film Trophy
  • • Feature development deal with EbonyLife
  • • Equipment package (Canon C70 kit)
  • • Automatic qualification for Oscars®
Animation

Best Animation

Excellence in animated storytelling

₦100,000

  • • Animation Excellence Award
  • • Toon Boom Harmony license (1 year)
  • • Annecy Festival submission package
  • • Studio internship at Triggerfish (SA)
Public Vote

Audience Choice Award

Voted by festival attendees

₦50,000

  • • People's Choice Trophy
  • • Guaranteed cinema release (10 screens)
  • • Marketing campaign worth ₦2M
  • • Spotlight at BIFF 2026

Performance & Craft Awards

Best Actor

₦800,000 in BIFCA Scholarship

+ Talent management contract with agent

Best Actress

₦800,000 in BIFCA Scholarship

+ Lead role offer in BIFFEST-produced film

Best Supporting Actor

₦500,000 in BIFCA Scholarship

+ Casting director showcase

Best Supporting Actress

₦500,000 in BIFCA Scholarship

+ Casting director showcase

Best Cinematography

₦600,000 in BIFCA Scholarship

+ Sigma Cine Lens set

Best Screenplay

₦600,000 in BIFCA Scholarship

+ Script development with Netflix

Best Editing

₦400,000 in BIFCA Scholarship

+ Adobe Creative Cloud (1 year)

Best Original Score

₦400,000 in BIFCA Scholarship

+ Recording studio time (40 hrs)

Sam Loco Special Jury Awards

Best First Feature (New Voice Award)

Recognizing exceptional debut feature films from first-time directors

₦1,500,000 + Pan-African Distribution Mentorship + BENIFFEST Talents invitation

Best Diaspora Film

For films by African filmmakers living outside the continent

₦1,000,000 in Flight Tick to attend BENIFFEST 2027 Edition + BENIFFEST Jurry Roundtable slot

Best Children's Film

Exceptional filmmaking for young audiences (ages 4-14)

₦300,000 + School distribution program + Benue Heritage partnership opportunity

Human Rights & Social Impact Award

Films addressing social justice, human rights, or environmental issues

₦500,000 + Amnesty International campaign + NGO screening tour

Lifetime Achievement Award

Honorary award for outstanding contribution to African cinema

Honorarium + Trophy + Career retrospective screening + Industry tribute

Student & Regional Awards

Best Student Film

₦500,000 in Canon Camera

  • • Must be film school project
  • • Director enrolled at time of production
  • • Scholarship to BIFCA included

Best Benue State Film

₦500,000

  • • Shot in Benue or by Benue indigene
  • • Promotes local culture
  • • State government endorsement

Best Experimental Film

₦200,000

  • • Avant-garde and innovative forms
  • • Pushes boundaries of medium
  • • Museum exhibition opportunity

Total Prize Pool: ₦50,000,000+

In addition to cash prizes, winners receive industry services, equipment, and opportunities valued at over ₦100,000,000

25+

Award Categories

100%

Cash Prizes Guaranteed

90 Days

Payment After Ceremony

General Rules & Regulations

1. Eligibility Requirements

  • Films must have been completed after January 1, 2023
  • Minimum runtime of 5 minutes for shorts; 60 minutes for features
  • Films must not have been publicly screened in Nigeria prior to BIFF (world, international, or African premiere status preferred)
  • Non-English films must have English subtitles
  • Student films must include proof of enrollment during production
  • All genres accepted: narrative, documentary, animation, experimental

2. Submission Format

  • Secure online screener via FilmFreeway or Vimeo link (password protected)
  • Resolution: minimum 1920x1080 (Full HD)
  • File format: MOV or MP4 (H.264 codec)
  • Exhibition format for selected films: DCP (Digital Cinema Package) or ProRes
  • Press kit including synopsis, director bio, stills, and poster required upon selection

3. Deadlines & Fees

Deadline Date Short Film Feature Film
Early Bird March 31, 2026 $25 (₦37,500) $40 (₦60,000)
Regular June 30, 2026 $35 (₦52,500) $55 (₦82,500)
Late August 31, 2026 $50 (₦75,000) $75 (₦112,500)
Extended September 15, 2065 $75 (₦112,500) $100 (₦150,000)
  • Student discounts available: 50% off with valid ID
  • Benue State residents: 30% discount with proof of residence
  • Submission fees are non-refundable

4. Selection Process

  • Three-round selection: Pre-screening, Programming Committee, Jury
  • Pre-screeners evaluate technical quality and content suitability
  • Programming Committee selects official competition entries
  • International Jury (5 members) determines award winners
  • Decisions are final and not subject to appeal
  • Notification dates: Finalists announced October 1, 2025

5. Exhibition Requirements

  • Selected films must provide DCP for theatrical exhibition
  • Shipping costs to Makurdi borne by filmmaker (return shipping covered by BIFF)
  • Films must be available for minimum 3 screenings during festival
  • Online/virtual screening rights may be requested for industry delegates
  • Filmmakers encouraged to attend; travel grants available for African directors

6. Rights & Permissions

  • Entrant confirms full rights to submit film and grant screening permissions
  • All music, footage, and third-party content must be cleared
  • BIFF is indemnified against copyright claims
  • Short clips (under 3 minutes) may be used for festival promotion
  • Winners agree to use BIFF laurels on future promotional materials

Terms & Conditions of Entry

By submitting a film to the Benue International Film Festival (BIFF), the entrant ("You") agrees to be bound by the following terms and conditions. Please read carefully before submitting.

1. Agreement to Terms

Submission of your film constitutes acceptance of these Terms and Conditions. BIFF reserves the right to update these terms; continued participation after changes constitutes acceptance. If you do not agree with these terms, do not submit your film.

2. Representation and Warranties

You represent and warrant that:

  • You are the rightful owner of the film or have authority to submit it
  • The film does not infringe any third-party rights including copyright, trademark, or privacy rights
  • All individuals appearing in the film have provided appropriate releases
  • The film is not subject to litigation or threatened litigation
  • All information provided in the submission is accurate and complete

3. License and Screening Rights

Upon selection, you grant BIFF a non-exclusive license to screen your film during the festival (November 15-22, 2025) and at associated events. This includes up to 4 public screenings, 2 industry screenings, and potential inclusion in the BIFF traveling showcase for 12 months following the festival. You retain all ownership and copyright to your work.

4. Marketing and Promotion

You grant BIFF the right to use excerpts (not exceeding 3 minutes or 10% of total runtime, whichever is less), stills, poster art, and biographical information for promotional purposes including trailers, website, social media, press kits, and program books. Proper attribution will always be provided.

5. Awards and Prizes

Cash prizes will be paid within 30 days of the awards ceremony via bank transfer or certified check. Winners are responsible for all applicable taxes. Non-cash prizes (equipment, services) are non-transferable and must be claimed within 6 months. BIFF reserves the right to substitute prizes of equal or greater value if necessary.

6. Liability and Indemnification

BIFF is not responsible for loss, damage, or delay of screening materials. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless BIFF, its organizers, sponsors, and venues against any claims arising from your film's content, copyright infringement, or violation of these terms. Insurance for shipping is recommended.

7. Disqualification

BIFF reserves the right to disqualify any film that violates these terms, contains illegal content, or misrepresents information. Fees will not be refunded for disqualified entries. Public screening in Nigeria prior to BIFF without prior approval may result in disqualification.

8. Governing Law

These terms are governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Benue State. If any provision is found invalid, remaining provisions shall remain in effect.

9. Contact and Notifications

All official communications will be sent to the email provided during submission. It is your responsibility to maintain current contact information. BIFF is not responsible for communications lost to spam filters or incorrect addresses.

Data Privacy Notice

Personal information collected during submission is used solely for festival administration and will not be sold to third parties. Data is stored securely and retained for 3 years. You have the right to request deletion of your data by contacting privacy@biff.ng. Full GDPR compliance for international entrants.

Category Definitions & Eligibility

Feature Film Competition

  • Runtime: 60 minutes or longer
  • Completion: After January 1, 2023
  • Origin: African filmmaker or African diaspora director; or film shot in Africa
  • Premiere: Nigerian premiere required; World premiere preferred
  • Budget: No budget restrictions; micro-budgets encouraged

Short Film Competition

  • Runtime: 5-40 minutes (including credits)
  • Completion: After January 1, 2023
  • Origin: Open to all nationalities with African theme or connection
  • Premiere: No prior Nigerian festival screening
  • Format: All genres including experimental

Documentary Competition

  • Runtime: 20 minutes or longer
  • Completion: After January 1, 2023
  • Subject: African subject matter or African filmmaker
  • Clearances: All interview subjects must have signed releases
  • Music: Original score or properly licensed

Student Film Competition

  • Runtime: 1-30 minutes
  • Enrollment: Director must be enrolled in accredited institution during production
  • Verification: Student ID or letter from department head required
  • Team: At least 70% of crew must be students
  • Graduation: Film must be thesis or coursework project

Key Dates 2025

March 31

Early Bird Deadline

June 30

Regular Deadline

October 1

Official Selection Announcement

November 15-22

Festival Dates

Questions About Awards or Submissions?

Our team is available to assist with eligibility questions, technical issues, or general inquiries

submissions@biff.ng
+234 800 BIFF 2025
Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

Africa's Most Vibrant Film Experience

Founded in 2018, the Benue International Film Festival has grown to become Nigeria’s premier celebration of African storytelling. Named after the “Food Basket of the Nation,” BIFF reflects the abundance of creative talent across the continent.

Our annual program spans eight days of screenings, masterclasses, and cultural events, bringing together filmmakers, industry professionals, and cinema lovers from around the world to Makurdi, the heart of Middle Belt Nigeria.

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