The iREPRESENT International Documentary Film Festival (iREP) has unveiled the schedule for its 2026 edition, which will run from March 18 to 22. This year, the festival has entered into a strategic partnership with Ecobank Nigeria, and the opening event will be held at the Ecobank Pan-African Centre located on Ozumba Mbadiwe Street in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Organised by the Foundation for the Promotion of Documentary Films in Africa (FPDFA), iREP has long been committed to enhancing documentary storytelling, fostering critical discussions, and facilitating skill development throughout the continent. With the theme “Transformation,” this anniversary edition will explore the transformative impact of documentary filmmaking in Africa over the past 15 years.
The festival will host a variety of events, including screenings, workshops, training sessions, and conversations, all aimed at showcasing how documentary films can shape public opinion, influence policy, preserve cultural memory, and elevate African voices on the global stage.
Femi Odugbemi, Co-Founder and Executive Director of iREP, recently launched the anniversary edition in Lagos, calling it a significant milestone that celebrates 15 years of iREP as one of Africa’s leading platforms for documentary cinema. He noted, “Throughout the years, iREP has been instrumental in advancing documentary storytelling, discourse, and skill-building across the continent.”
Odugbemi emphasised the partnership with Ecobank Nigeria as a groundbreaking collaboration that underscores a mutual commitment to youth empowerment, creativity, and capacity building, particularly for emerging documentary filmmakers.
In conjunction with the festival, Ecobank Nigeria will conduct a three-day Mobile Phone Filmmaking Workshop, scheduled from March 16 to 18, 2026, just before the festival kickoff. Led by experienced filmmakers, this workshop will offer participants practical training in creating impactful documentary films using mobile devices. Exceptional movies produced in this workshop will be eligible for awards, promoting innovation and high standards among participants.
Austen Osokpor, Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at Ecobank Nigeria, shared the bank’s dedication to the creative and cultural industries. “As a Pan-African bank, we aim to promote African culture, celebrating our collective heritage. This partnership supports the resurgence of African creativity, enabling talents to flourish while preserving the narratives that shape our identities.”
The 2026 iREP program will feature over 30 documentary films, including award-winning works that tackle essential themes such as governance, democracy, advocacy, technology, and culture. The festival will provide an engaging mix of screenings, panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities, uniting filmmakers, scholars, policymakers, students, and documentary enthusiasts from Africa and beyond.
