By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), in collaboration with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sierra Leone, has officially launched a national short video competition inviting members of the public to creatively tell stories of cooperation, friendship and shared development between China and Sierra Leone.
The competition, announced in a Press Release dated 2 February 2026, is themed: “China–Sierra Leone Cooperation in My Eyes.” It forms part of activities marking two significant milestones: the 55th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between China and Sierra Leone and the China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges 2026.
According to the organisers, the initiative is designed to strengthen people-to-people ties, showcase shared development experiences and highlight the positive impact of China–Sierra Leone cooperation through the eyes of Sierra Leoneans. By using short videos as a storytelling tool, the organisers aim to encourage authentic, creative and community-based narratives that reflect everyday experiences and long-standing partnerships between the two countries.
The competition is open to all Sierra Leoneans across diverse backgrounds. Eligible participants include journalists and media practitioners, content creators and social media influencers, students and young people, academics and researchers, community storytellers, and members of the general public. While collaborative works between Sierra Leonean and Chinese creators are encouraged, the organizers emphasized that the main characters and perspectives should remain primarily Sierra Leonean.
Participants are expected to submit videos that creatively explore China–Sierra Leone relations and cooperation. Suggested focus areas include stories of friendship and people-to-people exchanges, China’s contribution to national development in sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, trade and transportation, cultural exchanges and everyday moments of cooperation. Youth-focused stories showing how collaboration is helping young people achieve their dreams are also encouraged, alongside forward-looking reflections on the future of China–Sierra Leone cooperation, including sustainable development and the Belt and Road Initiative.
From a technical standpoint, submitted videos must not exceed five minutes in length and should be produced in formats such as interviews, short documentaries, public service announcements, creative vlogs, micro-stories, animations or other original styles. Accepted file formats include MP4, AVI, MOV and WMV, with a minimum resolution of 1920 by 1080 (Full HD) and a maximum file size of 500MB. Videos should be in English, with subtitles encouraged and all submissions must be original works with full copyright ownership retained by the creator. There is no limit to the number of submissions per participant.
Entries will be reviewed by a joint panel of experts appointed by SLAJ and the Chinese Embassy. Selected winners will receive cash prizes and certificates of recognition, while outstanding entries will be showcased on the Chinese Embassy’s social media platforms and other media outlets.
Submissions are now open and will close on 31 March 2026. Videos, along with a brief description and the creator’s contact details, should be emailed to slajchinavideo@gmail.com, using the subject line format: Creator’s Name – Video Title – Phone Number.
The competition is jointly organized by SLAJ and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sierra Leone and is signed by Edward Marah, Secretary General of SLAJ, who encouraged Sierra Leoneans nationwide to seize the opportunity to share their stories and help deepen public understanding of China–Sierra Leone cooperation through creativity and storytelling.
