In collaboration with
Afrimaxx invites young people across Ethiopia to become storytellers by sharing their hidden gems that make their country feel like home.
Take part in the Afrimaxx Creative Challenge! Share one unique perspective of belonging from Ethiopia. One short story, up to three photos — your chance to win a laptop or a smartphone and become part of Afrimaxx.
The Top 10 entries will be invited to the live finale on November 10, where their stories will take center stage and a selected jury together with the audience will choose the winner. Put your perspective on belonging in Ethiopia in the spotlight!
Watch the trailer
How it works
High school and university students are encouraged to capture a place, person, tradition, local business, community initiative, or everyday moment that inspires them and reflects how they feel about belonging.
Capture
Take up to three photos with any smartphone or camera. Together, they should reveal ONE hidden gem that makes Ethiopia feel like home.
Make your case
Write a short story (between 200–1,000 characters) that describes your hidden gem and how it relates to belonging in Ethiopia.
Submit your entry
Upload your entry right here. First, verify your e-mail with a quick code. Then confirm the participation requirements and verify your identity by uploading your Student ID. Once that's done, you're in. Or send everything straight to our Telegram bot.
The reveal
A jury reviews every submission. The Top 10 storytellers will be invited to the live Afrimaxx finale on November 10 and their work will be showcased on stage — and later also featured on Afrimaxx! During the awards ceremony, the audience will vote to crown one overall winner, who will receive a laptop. The second and third prize winners will each receive a smartphone.
What could your shot be?
There is no single right answer — that is the point. For example, your entry could focus on:
Faces of Ethiopia
The people who are the heart and soul of the community.
Places we belong
The places that bring people together.
Culture in everyday life
Traditions that continue to shape communities.
Creative Ethiopia
The artists, creators and innovators shaping local culture.
Hidden corners
Places that are often overlooked but hold special meaning.
Moments that matter
Small everyday moments with a meaningful story behind them.
The rules — short version
- • Open to high school, college, and university students — a scanned student ID is required.
- • Up to three original photos per entry, taken by you in Ethiopia.
- • Every entry needs a written statement — the idea your photos portray. Words and images are judged together.
- • Entries are screened by our editorial team, assisted by Artery, our AI — AI-generated or heavily manipulated images are flagged.
- • By entering you accept the competition's Terms & Conditions.
Prefer Telegram?
No forms — open our bot and it walks you through your entry in your language: your photos, your idea, and your student details. Same competition, same gallery.
@HiddenGems_ArtsTV_botAbout Afrimaxx
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