On Tuesday, 9 December 2025, the Nigerian Army Conference Centre and Suites in Abuja will once more become a lively center of creativity, i...
On Tuesday, 9 December 2025, the Nigerian Army Conference Centre and Suites in Abuja will once more become a lively center of creativity, innovation, and promotion of sustainable development. The cause is evident: the Grand Finale of the 3rd Edition of the SDGs Short Film Challenge and Awards—a rapidly growing global platform that has effectively placed young filmmakers at the forefront of efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Starting modestly in 2023 with only 73 film submissions, it has now become one of the most impactful youth-led development advocacy initiatives throughout Africa. This year, the Challenge achieved a significant milestone by receiving 2,265 entries from 140 countries, highlighting the ability of storytelling to transcend borders, motivate action, and bring together global citizens who share common development goals.
A Concept Stemming from Ten Years of Effort
The project, jointly managed by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs (OSSAP-SDGs), the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), and FreshNEWS Multimedia Networks, was established to inspire young artists to support the 2030 Agenda via filmmaking. It perfectly matches the Decade of Action, the worldwide appeal encouraging countries to speed up their efforts towards the SDGs.
As stated by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the Short Film Challenge serves as "a powerful tool for engaging young individuals to examine development challenges, offer locally developed solutions, and motivate society using the creative potential of film." Her statement reflects the essence of a program that connects imagination with policy, entertainment with activism, youth voice with worldwide progress.
An Event Beyond a Contest
The 2025 Grand Finale is conceived not just as an award event but as a comprehensive platform for growth and artistic expression. Activities will kick off at 2:00pm with the Opening of the Exhibition Centre—a dynamic area featuring artworks centered on SDG themes, creative installations, and development concepts developed by young talents.
This will be followed by showings of selected films, each addressing pressing topics such as climate action, gender equality, poverty, education, responsible consumption, health, environmental sustainability, and beyond. The films provide a platform for global issues, local experiences, and individual narratives, all developed within a fifteen-minute visual storytelling format.
Workshop sessions will gather a diverse group of young filmmakers, government officials, development collaborators, representatives from civil society, and individuals involved in the creative sector. These discussions are some of the most eagerly awaited parts of the festival, as they enhance the sharing of ideas and create a link between artistic expression and policy change.
Starting at 4:00pm, the atmosphere shifts to elegance and festivity with the Red Carpet opening, creating the backdrop for the Gala Night, the prestigious opening event, and the standout moment—the Awards Ceremony.
A Narrative of Development Grounded in Meaning
The path of the SDGs Short Film Challenge highlights the growing interest among young people worldwide in addressing social issues through easily available digital technologies. In 2023, the initial edition received only 73 submissions.
By 2024, the program expanded rapidly, receiving 2,250 films from 119 nations. This year's total of 2,265 submissions from 140 countries not only breaks a previous record but also highlights an increasingly dynamic artistic community dedicated to narrative development.
The Challenge offers far more than just acknowledgment. For numerous participants, it represents a transformative opportunity—providing global visibility, broader artistic connections, possible mentorship opportunities, and the chance to engage in exchange programs and initiatives centered around growth.
Powered by Collaborations, Driven by Young People
One of the key advantages of the initiative is the collaboration involved. OSSAP-SDGs offers policy guidance, UNIC provides international influence and trustworthiness, and FreshNEWS Multimedia supplies the creative foundation, youth engagement, and production skills. Collectively, they have developed a framework that is both progressive and engaging.
Films submitted annually go beyond being artistic works; they serve as appeals for action. They question stereotypes, address unfairness, highlight disparities, and honor perseverance. They express the reality of communities frequently overlooked. Most importantly, they show that young individuals are not merely recipients of the 2030 Agenda—they are key builders of sustainable development.
Future Outlook for December 9, 2025
With growing excitement, Abuja is getting ready to welcome filmmakers, diplomats, development partners, creative industry professionals, youth leaders, civil society organizations, and members of the public—everyone uniting to honor a worldwide initiative fueled by enthusiasm, imagination, and artistic talent.
The third edition of the SDGs Short Film Challenge and Awards will serve as an event that combines awareness, culture, entertainment, and policy discussion. It aims to highlight a key idea: storytelling continues to be one of the strongest methods for advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.
And as the global community gathers once more in the capital of Nigeria, the attention will be sharply focused on the young innovators defining the story of a greener tomorrow—through cinema, one film at a time.
