iREP to Host Mobile Phone Filmmaking Workshop in New Partnership with Ecobank

Vanessa Obioha

iREP International Documentary Film Festival recently announced its new partnership with Ecobank Nigeria for its 15th anniversary edition themed “Transformation.”

The partnership will see the festival, one of the continent’s most revered documentary platforms, hold at the Ecobank Pan African Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, from March 18–22, 2026. It will also host a three-day mobile phone filmmaking workshop from March 16–18, 2026.

To be facilitated by renowned and tested filmmakers, the workshop will provide participants with hands-on training in producing compelling documentary films using mobile devices. Outstanding films produced during the workshop will attract prize rewards, encouraging innovation and excellence among participants.

Co-Founder and Executive Director of iREP, Femi Odugbemi, unveiling the anniversary edition recently in Lagos, described the partnership as “a landmark collaboration that reflects a shared commitment to youth empowerment, creativity, and capacity building, particularly for young and emerging documentary filmmakers.”

“As a Pan-African bank, we have a collective vision of promoting African culture to reinforce and celebrate our shared heritage,” added Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at Ecobank Nigeria, Austen Osokpor. “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.”

Convened by the Foundation for the Promotion of Documentary Films in Africa (FPDFA), organisers say that this year’s edition will examine the transformative power of documentary filmmaking in Africa over the past 15 years. The various events in the programme – conversations, screenings, workshops, training etc – will spotlight the role of documentary films in shaping public discourse, influencing policy, preserving cultural memory, and amplifying African voices on global platforms. This aligns with iREP’s tradition of advancing documentary storytelling, critical discourse, and capacity development across the continent.

The 2026 iREP programme will feature over 30 documentary films, including award-winning titles addressing key themes such as governance and democracy, advocacy, technology, and culture.