null An update on the the Afrinolly Short Film Competition, we first told you about last November, whose goal is 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 was 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 were expected to upload their films to a dedicated Competition Website and the finalists were to 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), and public voting.

All Entries were to be submitted before on or January 31, 2013. And winners are to be published on March 11, 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

3 months after that initial announcement, the competition has revealed its 20 finalists (10 finalists in each of the above 2 categories) from over 500 submissions from almost all over the world.

The final 20 represent Canada, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, USA, UK, and Zimbabw, and, here's the best part, are all now available online for public viewing so that you can vote for your faves.

To watch and vote for your favorite short film and documentary, log on to http://afrinollyshortfilmcompetition.com/vote

Voting officially began today, Friday, February 15 and ends on Friday, March 8.

Winners in the Afrinolly Short Film Competition will be announced on Monday, March 11.

The full story, including a listing of the 20 finalists, follow below via press release:

Afrinolly Short Film Competition Reveals Shortlist of 20, Commences Public Voting

After two weeks of screening and pruning, the organisers of the Afrinolly Short Film Competition are proud to announce a shortlist of ten (10) finalists each in the contest's Short Film and Documentary categories.

An international jury comprising creative experts such as documentary filmmaker Femi Odugbemi (head of the jury), Tunde Kelani, Emem Isong, Franklin Leonard, Obi Emelonye, Mahen Bonetti, Tolu Ogunlesi, Nmachi Jidenma, Juliet Yaa Asante, Carol Kathurima, and Bongiwe Selane had the hard task of selecting 20 of the best shorts and documentaries out of over 200 eligible entries.

The successful films from Canada, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, USA, UK, and Zimbabwe are now online for the public to view and vote for their favourite films.

Over 500 entries were received from 14 countries in this initial edition of the Short Film Competition. A pre-selection team was responsible for screening out ineligible submissions like music videos, shorts exceeding the stated time-frame and other such entries that were not in compliance with the Afrinolly Short Film Competition rules.

The 20 finalists – ten each from the short film and documentary categories – were selected on the basis of the narrative's imagination and originality, the plot's ability to attract and retain the viewer's attention, clarity of purpose and an overall professional impression. Other criteria for selection included having adept mastery of technical aspects i.e. sound quality, costume, acting, screenplay, editing, lighting and camera work.

To vote for your favourite short film and documentary, log on to http://afrinollyshortfilmcompetition.com/vote

Voting officially commenced on Friday, February 15 and ends on Friday, March 8. Winners in the Afrinolly Short Film Competition will be announced on Monday, March 11.

A cash prize of $25,000 goes to the overall winners in both categories, while the first and second runners-up will receive $10,000 and $5,000 respectively. Outstanding participants also have the opportunity to sign online distribution and content deals with Afrinolly.

The Afrinolly Short Film Competition is aimed at digitally showcasing African cinema talent and providing a platform to foster the generation and of African content and make same available online. It is supported by MTN, Goethe Institut, Blackberry, IREP and Google as the social media partner.

SHORTLIST OF SUCCESSFUL FINALISTS

SHORT FILM

Dara Ju – USA

Philia – South Africa

Unspoken – UK

Enitan – Nigeria

The Promise – USA

When Fishes Drown – Nigeria

To serve with all our strength – Nigeria

Dance with the Devil – South Africa

419 – USA

Jayson's Hope – South Africa