Maryam Abiola, a filmmaker from Lagos, has emerged as the winner of the inaugural KCCN Short Film Contest 2026. Her film, 'Too Loud', a 10-minute fiction piece, explores themes of emotional abuse, resilience, and a young woman's journey towards independence. The film draws inspiration from the Haenyeo, the female divers of Jeju Island, connecting a Nigerian personal story with a distinctive element of Korean culture.
The KCCN Short Film Contest, an open-theme competition, received entries from 21 contestants. The contest provided Nigerian filmmakers and creatives with an opportunity to tell original stories while incorporating elements of Korean culture into their films. Abiola's winning film, 'Too Loud', was selected from a pool of talented submissions, showcasing the creativity and skill of Nigerian filmmakers.
The second prize was awarded to Jude Francis Terkuma, representing the Department of Theatre and Cultural Studies, Nasarawa State University, Keffi. His film, 'Unspoken', is a romantic drama about two university friends who struggle to express their feelings for each other. The film incorporates Korean pop culture into its story while exploring themes of friendship, vulnerability, and love.
Opara Barbra Ifeoma of Abuja won the third prize for her film 'I'll Do It For You'. The fiction film follows a young woman preparing to leave Nigeria for Korea on a scholarship connected to a culture deeply loved by her late mother. Through Korean music, food, language, and cultural experiences, she begins to process her grief and embrace the cultural legacy her mother left behind.
In addition to the top three prizes, two films received special mentions. 'MARKED', a documentary by ThankGod Amah of Lagos, explores identity, survival, and resilience through the story of a young girl whose life is shaped by hardship, spirituality, illness, poverty, and family instability. 'I No Be Ashawo', a drama by Buari Olalekan of Lagos, examines the childhood experiences, neglect, and abuse that can shape difficult survival choices later in life.
'I No Be Ashawo', told in Pidgin English with English subtitles, seeks to encourage conversations around child protection, accountability, empathy, and community responsibility. The film's use of Pidgin English and subtitles aims to reach a wider audience and spark important discussions about child protection and community responsibility.
The KCCN Short Film Contest has provided a platform for Nigerian filmmakers to showcase their talents and creativity. The contest's focus on incorporating Korean culture into the films has also highlighted the potential for cultural exchange and collaboration between Nigeria and Korea. The winning films demonstrate the diversity and richness of Nigerian storytelling, and the contest is expected to inspire future generations of filmmakers.
Key points
- Maryam Abiola's film 'Too Loud' won the first prize of the inaugural KCCN Short Film Contest 2026.
- The contest received entries from 21 contestants and provided a platform for Nigerian filmmakers to showcase their talents.
- The winning films incorporated elements of Korean culture into their stories, highlighting the potential for cultural exchange between Nigeria and Korea.
