Entries Open for NOA Animation Award: Nigeria Animators to Win ₦22.5m

The National Orientation Agency (NOA), in partnership with LIFANIMA – the Nigerian Animation Festival, has officially opened entries for the NOA Animation Award, offering Nigerian animators the opportunity to win a total prize pool of ₦22.5 million.
The NOA Animation Award is a national initiative designed to encourage creativity, storytelling, and innovation within Nigeria’s growing animation industry. Open exclusively to Nigerians, the award seeks to promote the production of authentic local content that reflects Nigerian values, culture, identity, and lived experiences through animation.
Award Theme and Eligibility
Entries submitted for the NOA Animation Award must be based on the theme:
“What Makes a Real Nigerian?”
Submitted works must:
Be created by Nigerians only

Have a maximum runtime of 3 minutes

Be produced in 2D, 3D, or Stop Motion animation

A total cash prize of ₦22,500,000 will be awarded to the top three entries in this category.
Promoting Local Content and National Identity
Through this initiative, NOA and LIFANIMA aim to strengthen Nigeria’s animation ecosystem by encouraging locally produced stories that celebrate Nigerian culture, values, and social ideals. The award supports homegrown talent, fosters youth engagement in creative industries, and positions animation as a powerful tool for national orientation, cultural preservation, and global storytelling from a Nigerian perspective.
Competition Guidelines
Each submission must clearly indicate the category under which it is entered.

Entries must be submitted individually.

Submissions must include a content rating: G, PG, PG-13, or 18.

Films produced in languages other than English must include English subtitles.

LIFANIMA Award Categories
LIFANIMA features six competitive categories:
Best 2D Animation Short

Best 3D Animation Short

Best Animation Commercial

Best Visual Effects

Best Stop Motion Animation

NOA Animation Award

Submission Format
Films should preferably be submitted in MP4 HD format (1920 x 1080p).
Awards and Jury
Awards will be presented in all six categories. The decisions of the jury are final.
Submission Deadline
The deadline for all submissions is July 3, 2026.
Entries are accepted exclusively via FilmFreeway at:
www.filmfreeway.com/lifanima