Nollywood director Kunle Afolayan and actress Stephanie Linus have teamed to launch a new short film competition called the Afrinolly Short Film Competition, with the goal being to help cultivate the next generation of African filmmakers, to expand the conversations on issues about the African continent via stories told by Africans, and to motivate and reward young and emerging filmmakers who exhibit exceptional narrative skills.

The competition is open to both Africans within the continent and Africans living in other parts of the world, who have short films that are no longer than 15 minutes.

Participants are expected to upload their films to a dedicated Competition Website and the finalists will be decided by a combo panel of international jury (including Franklin Leonard, creator of the Black List, Mahen Bonetti, director of the African Film Festival in NYC, and Obi Emelonye, director of Nollywood hit disaster movie, Last Flight To Abuja) as well as public voting.

All Entries must be submitted before on or January 31, 2013. Winners will be published on March 6, 2013.

Prizes will be awarded as follows:

Narrative Category: 1st Prize : $25,000; 2nd Prize :$10,000; 3rd Prize : $5,000; 4th-10th : $500 each

Documentary Category: 1st Prize : $25,000; 2nd Prize :$10,000; 3rd Prize : $5,000; 4th-10th : $500 each

For full details – eligibility, rules, etc – click HERE for the Afrinolly Short Film Competition website.

Watch the announcement below: