All is set for the 2026 edition of the iREPRESENT International Documentary Film Festival (iREP).

The festival, which entered into a strategic partnership with Ecobank Nigeria,will open on March 18 and run until March 22. Organisers announced that the opening event would 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. According to Co-founder and Executive Director of IREP Femi Odugbemi, this year’s 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. 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.

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.

Coal City Film Festival Is Next After IREP Documentary Film Festival

THE sixth edition of the Coal City Film Festival holds from March 26 to 28, 2026 at Nile Cinema Spar Mall Enugu State. This years edition will be held under the theme Local Stories, Global Screens at Nile Cinema Spar Mall Enugu and it is expected to bring together filmmakers, storytellers, industry leaders, and creative enthusiasts for three days of powerful screenings, conversations, and connections.

Further information can be sourced from [email protected]