The iRepresent International Documentary Film Festival (iREP) returns with a powerful start on Thursday, March 27, spotlighting the unyielding spirit of the Mothers of Chibok. This year’s festival, themed “Freedom: Rights vs Responsibility – Where Do We Draw the Line?”, kicks off with the moving portrait of courage and faith directed by Nigerian filmmaker Joel ‘Kachi’ Benson, setting the tone for four days of thought-provoking cinema. Running through Sunday, March 30, iREP 2025 promises to ignite conversations about the delicate balance between liberty and duty.
The festival opens at Alliance Française in Ikoyi, Lagos, on March 27 and 28, before shifting to the historic Freedom Park on Broad Street for its final two days. Attendees can expect a lineup of documentaries that challenge perspectives and inspire dialogue, with “Mothers of Chibok” leading the charge. The film 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.
Benson is also known for his previous work, “Daughters of Chibok,” a virtual reality film about the same event.
Organisers invite film enthusiasts, activists and curious minds to register at irepdocufilm.com/register.html
and join the conversation. “This is more than a festival—it’s a movement,” said an iRep spokesperson. “We’re asking tough questions: How far does freedom stretch before responsibility steps in?”
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.
