On 26th August, 2026, Popular Christian filmmaker, author and Pastor Laju Iren celebrated her birthday and announced alongside, the return of one of her major initiatives for promoting Christ-centred storytelling across Africa.
The Christian Storyteller Prize, which has officially returned for its fifth edition, was unveiled with entries opening from 26th August, 2026.
Founded by Laju Iren, the prize is a “first if it’s kind in Africa”, which was established to find, discover, amplify and reward African writers, filmmakers and content creators in Africa who use their creative gifts to creatively tell Christ-centred stories.
The 2026 edition is open across three storytelling formats:
- Short Film
- Short Story
- Content
And there’s an important detail for aspiring Christian storytellers: entry is free.
The initiative reflects Pastor Laju’s wider commitment to using storytelling as a tool for communicating faith, shaping culture and amplifying stories centred on Christ.
The 2026 winners will be announced on October 26, 2026, giving Christian creatives across Africa an opportunity to have their work recognised and their voices amplified. (The Christian Storyteller Prize)
Interested writers, filmmakers and content creators can visit the official Christian Storyteller Prize website for eligibility requirements, submission details and other information.
🔗 thechristianstorytellerprize.com
Happy birthday to Pastor Laju Iren, and here’s to another generation of storytellers using their gifts to tell stories that point people to Christ.
Christian author, filmmaker and pastor Laju Iren is celebrating her birthday with the return of the
The fifth edition of the Christian Storyteller Prize officially opened for submissions on August 26, 2026, with creatives invited to submit their work around this year’s theme, “STAND: Unshaken in Battle.”
According to the organisers, the 2026 theme calls storytellers to portray moments when faith stood firm despite difficult circumstances, encouraging writers, filmmakers and content creators to tell stories of people who refuse to tremble, retreat or surrender because their confidence is rooted in God. (thechristianstorytellerprize.com)
The competition is open across three categories: Short Film, Short Story and Content Creator.
The organisers describe the prize as an initiative that exists to “find, amplify, and reward” writers and filmmakers in Africa for creatively telling Christ-centred stories. Entry is completely free, and participants are permitted one entry per storyteller in each category. (thechristianstorytellerprize.com)
Christian Storyteller Prize 2026 Categories
1. Short Film
Filmmakers can submit short films made between August 1, 2025 and August 1, 2026.
The category provides an opportunity for filmmakers to communicate the 2026 theme through visual storytelling and demonstrate how faith can remain unshaken in the face of adversity. (thechristianstorytellerprize.com)
2. Short Story
Writers can submit a short story based on the 2026 theme, “STAND: Unshaken in Battle.”
The official competition website specifies a 1,000-word requirement for entries in this category. (thechristianstorytellerprize.com)
3. Content Creator
The content creator category is designed for storytellers producing content for digital platforms, including reels, threads and skits.
Participants are expected to submit a body of Christ-centred work created for social media and other digital audiences. (thechristianstorytellerprize.com)
How to Submit an Entry for the Christian Storyteller Prize 2026
For writers, filmmakers and content creators interested in participating, the submission process is entirely online through the official Christian Storyteller Prize website.
Step 1: Visit the official submission page
Go to the official Christian Storyteller Prize website and select “Submit an entry.”
The submission window runs from August 26 to September 26, 2026. (thechristianstorytellerprize.com)
Step 2: Select your category
Choose the category that corresponds with the work you are submitting:
* Short Film
* Short Story
* Content Creator
Remember that the organisers allow one entry per storyteller, per category. (thechristianstorytellerprize.com)
Step 3: Enter your personal information
The submission form requires participants to provide their full name and email address.
There are also fields for a phone number and country, although these are marked optional on the official form. (thechristianstorytellerprize.com)
Step 4: Provide the title of your work
Enter the official title of the short film, short story or content project you are submitting.
Make sure the title corresponds with the work contained in your submission link.
Step 5: Write your synopsis
Participants are required to provide a synopsis of their work.
The official submission form specifies a minimum of 40 words for the synopsis. This means applicants should prepare a clear description explaining what their story is about and how it connects with the theme, “STAND: Unshaken in Battle.” (thechristianstorytellerprize.com)
A strong synopsis should give the judges enough context to understand the central idea without unnecessarily retelling the entire story.
Step 6: Upload or host your work and provide the link
Rather than uploading the work directly to the form, applicants are required to provide a link to their work, with the official form specifically mentioning platforms such as Google Drive and Dropbox. (thechristianstorytellerprize.com)
Before submitting, make sure the link works properly.
This is particularly important: the organisers state that the link must be accessible to anyone with the URL. (thechristianstorytellerprize.com)
Therefore, applicants using Google Drive, Dropbox or another file-hosting service should check their sharing settings before submitting.
Step 7: Confirm originality and agreement with the terms
Applicants must confirm that the work is their own original work, written for the theme, and agree to the prize’s entry terms. (thechristianstorytellerprize.com)
This confirmation should not be treated as a formality. Participants should ensure that the work they submit is genuinely their own and meets the requirements of the category they have selected.
Step 8: Submit the entry
After completing the form and checking all information and links, click “Submit entry.”
There is no entry fee at any stage of the competition. (thechristianstorytellerprize.com)
Important Dates for the Christian Storyteller Prize 2026
Entries open: August 26, 2026
Submission deadline: September 26, 2026
Winners announced: October 26, 2026
Entry fee: Free
Entries allowed: One entry per storyteller, per category (thechristianstorytellerprize.com)
What Does “STAND: Unshaken in Battle” Mean?
The 2026 theme challenges Christian storytellers to explore what it means to remain firm when circumstances are difficult.
The organisers describe it as a call to tell stories of faith that does not tremble, retreat or surrender.
For creatives considering an entry, this provides a broad storytelling direction: the story should capture a meaningful moment or experience in which faith stands its ground despite the size of the challenge.
Rather than simply mentioning Christianity or inserting a religious message into a story, participants have an opportunity to creatively demonstrate the reality of steadfast faith through compelling characters, conflict, emotion and transformation.
An Opportunity for Christian Creatives
The return of the Christian Storyteller Prize comes at a time when storytelling continues to play an increasingly important role in communicating Christian values and engaging audiences across Africa.
Through short films, written stories and digital content, Christian creatives have the opportunity to communicate the Gospel and explore matters of faith in formats that connect with contemporary audiences.
For aspiring filmmakers, writers and content creators, the prize also offers an opportunity to place their work before a platform specifically created to recognise Christ-centred storytelling.
The Christian Storyteller Prize is now accepting entries, and interested creatives have until September 26, 2026 to submit their work.
Ready to tell the story only you can tell?
Visit the official Christian Storyteller Prize website to read the requirements and submit your entry.
Submit your entry for the Christian Storyteller Prize 2026
Happy birthday to Pastor Laju Iren, and congratulations to the Christian storytelling community on the return of the prize.
#LajuIren #ChristianStorytellerPrize #ChristianStorytelling #ChristianWriters #ChristianFilmmakers #ChristianContentCreators #ChristianFilm #FaithBasedFilm #ChristianCreatives #
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