Set against the backdrop of contemporary global challenges, the festival invites filmmakers, thinkers, and audiences to engage with the essential questions: “How do we reconcile the right to free expression with the need for societal order? In an age where digital platforms amplify both the promise and peril of free speech, what is the true cost of unrestrained liberty?”
This year’s theme delves into the tension between individual rights — such as freedom of speech, personal autonomy and the pursuit of prosperity — and the role of the state and institutions in curbing those freedoms in the interest of public safety, national security or the rights of others.
From Ikoyi’s cultural hub to Freedom Park’s open-air vibrancy, iRep 2025 offers a dynamic stage for filmmakers and audiences to explore these themes. Whether you’re drawn by the storytelling or the debate, this year’s event is poised to leave a mark.
“A good documentary equips towards a decision – it might be to decide on one side or the other of an issue, or to act towards the actualisation of an objective. At the end of any good documentary, we are not the same. Our world is expanded, our mind is richer and hopefully, we are inspired to act in the interest of fighting for a better world. A good documentary is also the same as any form of storytelling- it should be a layered visual experience. Beyond narrations, it should embrace the nuances of imagery and subliminal messages in the context of the world of its subject. The artistic impact is what retains its message in our consciousness,” Femi Odugbemi, Co-Founder/ Director, said.
The festival will interrogate the intricate balance between personal freedoms and the collective responsibility that sustains a democracy.
Said Odugbemi: “It interrogates the impact of misinformation and disinformation in the digital age, where the line between truth and falsehood is often blurred. In an era of social media dominance, where the speed of information often outpaces truth, how do we safeguard the sanctity of truth?”
According to him, “With a focus on the interplay of rights and responsibilities, we aim to foster critical conversations on how freedom, truth, and justice coexist in our increasingly interconnected world. What does it mean to be truly free, and what do we owe each other in the pursuit and exercise of that freedom?”
Attendees can expect a rich lineup of documentaries, about 40 in all, panel discussions, and interactive sessions designed to challenge perspectives and inspire action with Mothers of Chibok leading the charge. The film sets the tone for a festival dedicated to amplifying voices and sparking dialogue on pressing societal issues. It captures the resilience of mothers still holding onto hope over a decade after the infamous abduction of their daughters, blending raw emotion with a universal call for justice.
The Bitter Feminist by HardFacts Studios will also be premiered at the festival. The five-episode series, created by Daniel Chukwuemeka and Ijeoma Chinonyerem, explores the pervasive gender inequalities faced by women in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa, tackling issues such as child marriage, misogyny and restrictive gender roles through powerful storytelling and real-life narratives.
The series centres on the story of Ringret, a young woman from Northern Nigeria who survived rape and forced marriage. Her journey serves as a poignant lens through which the docudrama examines the intersectionality of feminism and the systemic oppression women endure.
Co-creator Ijeoma Chinonyerem emphasised the importance of the project, stating, “It’s about giving voice to the women whose stories often go unheard and challenging the narratives perpetuating inequality. We hope ‘The Bitter Feminist’ sparks conversations and inspires real change.”
Produced by Isaac Newton Akah and directed by Priye Diri, the series combines candid interviews with impactful storytelling to shed light on the cultural, religious and socio-economic factors that perpetuate gender inequality. Each episode addresses critical issues, including the devastating consequences of child marriage, the complexities of consent and the realities of transactional sex. The docudrama also celebrates the resilience and determination of women who defy societal expectations and challenge oppressive norms.
