Rome-based Development Agency Launches Storytelling Contest on “the Africa that surprises”

The contest, Johanna said, seeks to celebrate “an Africa that surprises with its creativity, the resourcefulness of its people, locally generated solutions, community strength, cultural richness, and social and technological innovation.” 

“The Prize seeks to give space to stories that reveal a continent in transformation: not denying the difficulties, but highlighting the daily commitment, courage, and capacity for change.  

The competition is open to audiovisual productions that tell stories of development, innovation, inclusion, and solidarity. 

In HAI’s attempt to ensure fair evaluation, entries have been divided into four categories based on the producer's profile. 

The first is the category for professional individual productions created by video-makers, journalists, or independent professionals.

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The second category is for non-profit organization productions created by organizations with social aims.

The third category will be commercial entity productions created by entities with greater technical and financial resources, such as agencies, broadcasters, or production companies.

The maximum duration acceptable for productions in each of the first three categories will be 60 minutes.

The last category is for young creatives, under 25, who will submit short videos with a maximum duration of 5 minutes. 

In all the four categories, direct experience in Africa is not required, but stories reflecting themes of personal growth, resilience, coexistence, solidarity, integration, and inclusion are encouraged.  

Priority themes are those that offer a fresh and original perspective on contemporary Africa,  particularly those addressing education and training as fundamental tools for the integral development of the person and  sustainable societal progress;  human dignity, to be respected in every context, regardless of social, economic, or cultural  background;  solidarity and cooperation as essential elements of community life; as well as the family as a fundamental nucleus for personal and social growth.

Other priority topics include positive integration in Western societies, promoting intercultural understanding and harmonious coexistence; innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship serving the common good; as well as access to clean and sustainable energy as a key driver of human development and social inclusion, enabling education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and community resilience.  

HAI has provided other important participation requirements in the competition noting that the deadline for submitting entries is 15 June 2026. 

The monetary prize which HAI says is subject to applicable tax regulations is €1,500.00 for each winner in categories A, B, and C and a total of €500.00 for the young creatives in category D.

HAI’s 10th edition of “Communicating Africa” in 2024 allowed storytellers to communicate the beauty of the continent.

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Agnes Aineah is a Kenyan journalist with a background in digital and newspaper reporting. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism from the Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communications and a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communications from Kenya's Moi University. Agnes currently serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.