LAGOS — The iREPRESENT International Documentary Film Festival (iREP) has announced a major strategic partnership with Ecobank Nigeria for its 15th anniversary edition.
The event, themed “Transformation,” is set to take place from March 18–22, 2026, at the Ecobank Pan-African Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Since its inception by the Foundation for the Promotion of Documentary Films in Africa (FPDFA), iREP has emerged as one of the continent’s most influential platforms for non-fiction cinema. This year’s edition seeks to examine how documentary filmmaking has shaped public discourse, influenced policy, and preserved cultural memory over the last decade and a half.
Femi Odugbemi, Co-Founder and Executive Director of iREP, described the 15th anniversary as a testament to the festival’s role in advancing African narratives.
“The 2026 festival is a special milestone,” Odugbemi stated during the unveiling in Lagos. “Over the years, iREP has played a critical role in advancing documentary storytelling and skills development across the continent. Our partnership with Ecobank Nigeria is a landmark collaboration that reflects a shared commitment to youth empowerment and capacity building.”
A key highlight of the partnership is a three-day Mobile Phone Filmmaking Workshop running from March 16–18, leading up to the main festival. Led by industry veterans, the workshop aims to democratize filmmaking by teaching emerging creators how to produce high-quality documentaries using mobile devices. In a bid to foster excellence, the best films produced during the session will receive prize rewards.
Austen Osokpor, Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at Ecobank Nigeria, emphasized the bank’s dedication to the creative economy.
“As a Pan-African bank, we have a collective vision of promoting African culture to celebrate our shared heritage,” Osokpor said. “This partnership enables talent to thrive while preserving the stories that define who we are as a people.”
The 2026 iREP programme will feature over 30 documentary films,
including award‑winning titles addressing key themes such as governance and
democracy, advocacy, technology, and culture. The festival will offer a dynamic
mix of screenings, panel discussions, workshops, and networking sessions — bringing together filmmakers,
scholars, policymakers, students, and documentary enthusiasts from across
Africa and beyond.
As Africa experiences a cultural renaissance, iREP remains at the forefront, ensuring that African storytellers continue to be the primary authors of the continent’s past, present, and future.
