Abuja – The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have launched the second edition of the Annual Short Film Contest on Combatting Trafficking in Persons in Nigeria.

Initiated in 2023, the Short Film Contest invites and encourages all the young filmmakers and film enthusiasts resident in Nigeria, including migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and stateless persons, to express their views on the topic of Combating Trafficking in Persons in Nigeria.

Film is a universal medium to illustrate untold stories that can inspire and educate, foster dialogue, create empathy among the public, and guide people to take action on complex and multi-layered phenomena such as trafficking in persons. Many factors increase vulnerability to these criminal activities, including conflict, displacement and climate change and environmental degradation. Thus, education and awareness-raising of the public have the most important role in combating the practice.

Through a committee comprised of experts on migration, counter Trafficking, film and media, the top submissions in the two categories of official competition as well as a popular vote will be selected.

The Short Film Contest is part of the array of activities organized by the Federal Government of Nigeria, the United Nations, as well as civil society organizations in the run-up to the commemoration of World Day against Trafficking in Persons.

The deadline to submit short films is 14 July 2024.

The 2024 Edition of the Short Film Contest on Combating Trafficking in Persons in Nigeria is supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of France in Nigeria.

For more information, please visit bit.ly/TraffickingFilmContest.