UNESCO Digital Storytelling Contest 2026
A digital storytelling contest run by the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI), a UNESCO Category 2 Institute, under its Africa Against Xenophobia Project (AfAX-P). Entrants create original digital stories promoting unity, tolerance and peace, and countering xenophobia and mis/disinformation across Africa.
Eligibility
- Aged 15-30
- Of African nationality or heritage, resident either within Africa or in the diaspora
- Entry must be an original work by the applicant or their team, not previously published or awarded elsewhere
- Submissions may be in English, French, Arabic, Portuguese, or any African language, with English subtitles required for non-English entries
Who is not eligible: entries that have already been published or won an award elsewhere, and anyone outside the 15-30 age range or without African nationality/heritage.
What you need to apply
- An original digital story addressing one of the contest's categories on countering xenophobia and promoting peace
- English subtitles if your entry is not in English
- Submission through IMILI's official entry form
Position yourself
Entries are judged on how well they address the specific theme of countering misinformation-driven xenophobia, not just general storytelling quality — a story that stays loosely thematic without engaging that specific angle is less competitive than one that does.
What to do if you are not eligible
If you're outside the 15-30 age bracket or don't have African nationality/heritage, this particular contest isn't open to you — but IMILI and similar UNESCO-affiliated institutes run other media and information literacy initiatives worth checking periodically.
Benefits
Amplification of your work through IMILI's platforms
Contribution to a continental project addressing xenophobia and misinformation
How to apply
Submit your original digital story through IMILI's official entry form, including your personal details, country of residence, and a public URL to your submission. Non-English entries need English subtitles included.
Application tip
Host your video or story somewhere reliably public and accessible before you start the entry form, since you'll be asked for a working public URL to it as part of the submission.
Frequently asked questions
Can I submit in my own African language?
Yes, as long as you include English subtitles.
Does my story have to be about a personal experience?
Not necessarily — it needs to engage the theme of countering xenophobia and misinformation while promoting unity and peace, whether through a personal account or another narrative approach.
Other opportunities for African undergraduates and recent graduates: browse the full, current list on our Opportunities & Updates page.
Official application: apply directly through IMILI's own entry form. STUF curates opportunities but does not control external selection, so confirm every detail on the official source before applying.
Written by
✍️ Samuel Sodunke
Samuel is a content writer, freelance journalist, and judicial correspondent with an interest in human rights, social justice, and gender issues. He holds a BA …