AFritondo SHort Story prize 2025

Theme

This year, we want writers to respond to the theme of “masks”: spiritual, psychological, social, and cultural coverings that people wear.

In some African cultures, masks are worn only by a particular group of people. Around the world, though, everyday people wear them. Who wears masks, and how are they used to organise and make sense of social life? What psychological and cultural benefits/pitfalls are associated with mask-wearing? What types of masks do people wear? Why do people wear masks? And how do masks bridge the gap between the known and the unknown, the visible and the invisible, the ordinary and the supernatural?

Every year, we seek stories that offer creative interpretations of the theme. We like stories that surprise us, that take risks with imagination and language. A good story for our prize will offer unique insight into the theme and explore characters in refreshing and imaginative ways.

Judges

The 2025 Short Story Prize will be judged by Rémy Ngamije, Ama Asantewa Diaka, and Umar Turaki.

Please click on the link below to read their profiles.

Prizes

Grand Prize: The winning entry will receive $1000 USD.

Shortlisted Entries: The four other stories that make it to the shortlist will receive $100 USD each.

Longlisted Entries: Every story on the longlist will be published in an anthology, and writers will receive a free copy.

Guidelines

The Afritondo Short Story Prize is open to Black and African writers worldwide. Stories must be written in English and between 3,000 to 5,000 words.

The deadline for the 2025 Prize is 23 December 2024.

Please click on the link below for full terms and guidelines.