CALL FOR ENTRIES: AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS SPOKEN WORDS CONTEST:
DEADLINE: 30TH OCTOBER, 2023
The African Secretariat of the International Human Rights Art Festival is proud to announce the upcoming "African Human Rights Spoken Words Contest," a transformative platform that harnesses the power of spoken word artistry to address pressing human rights issues. The contest aims to bring together poets, artists, and activists from across the African continent to creatively express their thoughts and perspectives on critical matters such as social justice, climate change, women's empowerment, immigration, human trafficking, police brutality, and violence against women.
In an era where dialogue and advocacy hold the key to positive change, the contest seeks to amplify the voices of those often marginalized and unheard. Through the art of spoken word, participants will have the opportunity to shed light on the urgent need for social justice, a sustainable environment, and equal rights for women. The African Human Rights Spoken Words Contest will serve as a powerful catalyst for awareness, empathy, and action, encouraging participants to delve into these multifaceted issues and inspire others to do the same.
The African Human Rights Spoken Words Contest is set to unleash a wave of creative expression, advocacy, and solidarity across the African continent. Poets, spoken word artists, and all individuals passionate about human rights are encouraged to participate and contribute to this vital dialogue. Together, we can harness the power of spoken words to pave the way towards a more just, equitable, and compassionate future.
Submit a captivating 1-minute video where you passionately recite a unique and artistic poem crafted by you. This is your opportunity to shine and potentially be showcased on our vibrant social media platforms.
Demonstrate and elucidate the potent utilization of spoken language as a catalyst for the advancement and bolstering of human rights across the African continent. To merit rightful acknowledgment, submissions should inherently encapsulate the essence of human rights.
PRIZE(S)
• First Prize - $100
• Second Prize - $75
• Third Prize - $50
• Five honorable mentions

The selected works that emerge victorious will take center stage at the International Human Rights Art Festival, set to unfold between December 4th and 10th, 2023.
OTHER BENEFITS
• Award of Certificates of Participation to all Entrants.
• Award of Certificates of Excellence to only the shortlisted entrants.

GUIDELINES
1. Upload a 1-minute video of yourself reciting your original poem of not less than 20MB.
2. Entries are welcomed from anywhere in the world, but must address human rights issues in Africa
3. Stories must have Human Rights at heart.
4. Only one Video per entrant
5. Your video can explore any of the following human rights themes: Freedom of Expression, Government Violations, Police Brutality, corruption, forced Eviction, terrorism, Gender Inequality, LGBT Rights, Child Labour, Child Marriage, Domestic Violence, violence and discrimination against women; child abuse; female genital mutilation, ethnic, regional, and religious discrimination, child trafficking etc.
6. Record yourself in a quiet place (no music or background noise). Listen to your audio before you upload to make sure we can hear you well. No other persons are allowed in the video.
7. Make sure the video is not shaky, the camera must be still while filming.
8. Ensure your video is artistic, original, and creative. Videos must not have been previously published or used for a commercial purpose such as private sale or used in monetized platforms. All content to be used must be original, including any music.
9. Do not add any graphics, text, or captions. If you need to perform your poem in sign language, you are welcome to do so.
10. Film in landscape mode.
11. We strongly encourage diverse, untraditional, and unheard voices to enter this competition
12. The 1-minute Video must be a new and original piece of work. The Story must not have been published in any form or awarded previously.
13. Deadline for submissions is 30th October, 2023
14. Winners will be announced on the November 25th, 2023
15. Any signs of plagiarism will disqualify the contestant.
16. IHRAF reserves the right to withdraw and reclaim the financial value of the contest if it is discovered that a Spoken Word Artist has fabricated any information in their submission.
17. Organizers’ decision is final
18. All entrants agree to offer IHRAF first world rights, with the right to upload selected videos on its media and streaming platforms.
19. All entries must be submitted to: ihrafafrica@ihraf.org
20. Title of your mail should be addressed as “AFRICAN HUMAN SPOKEN WORDS CONTEST”
21. Entrants are advised to send the following information alongside their entries
22. Name, Age, Gender, Country, Address, Phone Number, Where you heard about the Contest, Short Profile about yourself, Name of school or university if any
23. It is your responsibility to ensure that your submission is eligible for the Contest. By entering your work for the Contest you are confirming to us that the work that you are submitting is your own original work, and that you have read and agreed to the Conditions of Entry of the Contest.
24. We will write to everyone who entered for the Contest and inform them of the outcome of their application once the judging process has concluded.
African Human Rights Spoken Words Contest is an initiative of the International Human Rights Art Festival (IHRAF), USA aimed at promoting and supporting the realization of human rights in Africa.

For more enquiries contact: Wole Adedoyin +2348072673852 (woleadedoyin@gmail.com)