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.