The Directors Guild of Nigeria has announced the first-ever DGN Awards & Directors’ Week 2026, set for four days between July 14, 2026 and July 18, 2026 in Lagos.
According to the DGN, the awards ceremony and week-long activities are designed as an annual industry gathering to celebrate directing excellence, boost professional development, and position Nigerian filmmakers globally.
The centerpiece, according to the professional body, is the DGN Awards, co-chaired by filmmaker Yinka Akanbi and DGN National President Uche Agbo.
The body has called for submissions, which are open to directors in Nigeria and the diaspora across 14 categories, including Drama, Comedy, TV Series, Animation, Documentary, Web Series, Student Director, Diaspora, Emerging Female Director among others.
Alongside the awards, the Directors’ Week will run as an industry hub with a convention, masterclasses, panels, a film/TV market, screenings, and networking sessions. Agbo said the initiative fulfills a promise to reposition the Guild and create global-standard recognition for Nigerian directors.
“ This initiative is not just about celebration; it is about building structures that empower filmmakers, encourage excellence, create industry visibility and open economic opportunities for our members and the larger creative ecosystem. One of the core promises of this administration was to elevate the value and visibility of directors both locally and internationally,” said Agbo.
The DGN annual convention is intentionally tailored to reflect African realities while maintaining a world-class credibility, professionalism and long -term sustainability.
According to the DGN, the awards ceremony and week-long activities are designed as an annual industry gathering to celebrate directing excellence, boost professional development, and position Nigerian filmmakers globally.
The centerpiece, according to the professional body, is the DGN Awards, co-chaired by filmmaker Yinka Akanbi and DGN National President Uche Agbo.
The body has called for submissions, which are open to directors in Nigeria and the diaspora across 14 categories, including Drama, Comedy, TV Series, Animation, Documentary, Web Series, Student Director, Diaspora, Emerging Female Director among others.
Alongside the awards, the Directors’ Week will run as an industry hub with a convention, masterclasses, panels, a film/TV market, screenings, and networking sessions. Agbo said the initiative fulfills a promise to reposition the Guild and create global-standard recognition for Nigerian directors.
“ This initiative is not just about celebration; it is about building structures that empower filmmakers, encourage excellence, create industry visibility and open economic opportunities for our members and the larger creative ecosystem. One of the core promises of this administration was to elevate the value and visibility of directors both locally and internationally,” said Agbo.
The DGN annual convention is intentionally tailored to reflect African realities while maintaining a world-class credibility, professionalism and long -term sustainability.
