Ecobank Nigeria has explained its decision to partner with the iREPRESENT International Documentary Film Festival as the organisers announced a strategic collaboration for the festival’s 15th anniversary edition, scheduled to hold in Lagos from March 18 to 22.
The partnership was unveiled ahead of the anniversary edition of iREP, which will take place at the Ecobank Pan African Centre on Ozumba Mbadiwe Street, Victoria Island. The 2026 event marks 15 years since the founding of the documentary film festival.
Convened by the Foundation for the Promotion of Documentary Films in Africa, iREP focuses on documentary storytelling, public discourse and skills development across Africa. The 2026 edition is themed “Transformation” and will examine the role of documentary filmmaking in Africa over the past 15 years.
The programme will include film screenings, conversations, workshops and training sessions, with a focus on how documentary films shape public discourse, influence policy, preserve cultural memory and amplify African voices globally.
Speaking while unveiling the anniversary edition in Lagos, co-founder and executive director of iREP Femi Odugbemi said, “The 2026 festival is a special anniversary edition, marking 15 years since the founding of iREP, one of Africa’s most influential platforms for documentary cinema.”
He added, “Over the years, iREP has played a critical role in advancing documentary storytelling, discourse, and skills development across the continent.”
Odugbemi described the partnership with Ecobank Nigeria as a landmark collaboration that reflects a shared commitment to youth empowerment, creativity and capacity building for young and emerging documentary filmmakers.
As part of the partnership, Ecobank Nigeria will host a three-day mobile phone filmmaking workshop from March 16 to 18 ahead of the festival. The workshop will offer hands-on training in producing documentary films using mobile devices and will be facilitated by experienced filmmakers. Outstanding films from the workshop will receive prize rewards.
Commenting on the collaboration, Austen Osokpor, head of marketing and corporate communications at Ecobank Nigeria, said the partnership aligns with the bank’s focus on culture and creativity.
“As a Pan-African bank, we have a collective vision of promoting African culture to reinforce and celebrate our shared heritage. This partnership aligns with the broader resurgence of African creativity, enabling talents to thrive while preserving the stories that define who we are as a people,” he said.
iREP was established as a platform for aspiring and practising filmmakers creating socially relevant documentary films. The festival provides a forum for documentary filmmakers to share ideas and explore trends and technological developments in the genre.
The 2026 programme will feature more than 30 documentary films, including award-winning titles addressing themes such as governance, democracy, advocacy, technology and culture. It will also include panel discussions, workshops and networking sessions for filmmakers, scholars, policymakers, students and documentary audiences from across Africa and beyond.
