Young Nigerian Filmmakers Win $2K in Smartphone Contest

Three young Nigerian filmmakers just proved you don't need expensive equipment to tell powerful stories. Lady Hephzibah and Dera Chuks took home the top prize of ₦1 million (about $2,200) at the iREP-Ecobank Smartphone Filmmaking Competition in Lagos last Thursday.

The winners emerged from 120 participants who submitted 37 films, all shot entirely on smartphones. Their challenge was to showcase Africa's growing arts scene through creative documentary storytelling.

Hephzibah and Chuks won for their film "Long Lived," while Imoh David earned second place and ₦750,000 for "More Than a Bank." Ikeme Ucheckukwu Sixtus claimed third with "Threads of Identity," winning ₦500,000.

"This win reflects the strength of our partnership," the winning duo said. "Collaboration turns individual ideas into a shared vision, and shared visions always go further."

The competition followed a three-week intensive workshop led by renowned Nigerian filmmaker Tunde Kelani. He trained participants in documentary filmmaking techniques using only mobile devices, making professional storytelling accessible to creators without expensive cameras.

"You have received everything you need to start with," Kelani told the graduates. "But one important thing is your passion. You can have the best equipment, but never forget that you need to develop passion."

The initiative reflects Ecobank's commitment to supporting African creatives, particularly women in film. Omoboye Odu, the bank's Head of SMEs and Partnerships, emphasized this mission during Women's Month.

"We're intentional about projecting culture and creatives in film, the arts, fashion, and music," Odu said. She also encouraged greater female representation, adding, "There's another woman out there. We want to see her on the stage."

The Ripple Effect

This smartphone filmmaking program removes one of the biggest barriers facing young African storytellers: expensive equipment. By proving that compelling documentaries can be created with devices already in most people's pockets, the initiative opens doors for countless aspiring filmmakers across the continent.

The program was part of the 15th annual iREP International Documentary Film Festival, themed "Transformation," which ran March 18-22 in Lagos. The festival featured over 30 curated documentaries, industry panels, and networking events that brought together Nigeria's film community.

Mobile filmmaking is democratizing storytelling across Africa, and these three winners are leading the way.