At FIPADOC, Nigerian Filmmakers Bring New Stories to Global Stage

Looking to shine on the world’s biggest stage, a delegation of emerging Nigerian documentary filmmakers are currently in Biarritz to take part in FIPADOC, the first major international documentary festival of the year.

The festival which kicked off on January 23 2026, will run till January 30, 2026.

Supported by the French Embassy in Nigeria, in partnership withStoryMi Academy, a French-Nigerian organisation, these filmmakers will present documentary projects in development to international producers, platforms and broadcasters.

This initiative aims to elevate Nigerian documentary talent on the global stage, amplify their voices and strengthen creative connections between Europe and the African continent.

The filmmakers selected to attend FIPADOC are part of the StoryMi Documentary Fellowship, a seven-month programme connecting Nigerian and French documentary professionals.

Initiated by the french-nigerian StoryMi Academy in 2021 by the journalist, Sophie Bouillon and supported by the French Embassy in Nigeria, it offers emerging filmmakers mentorship, production support and international exposure.

The 2026 cohort includes Ayodele Isaac Ifeoluwa, Babalola Olayinka Eno, Bulus Blessing, Christopher Wonder and Okoh Faith Chukwuemeka, five documentary filmmakers, whose work offers fresh perspectives on the social realities of Africa’s most populous country.

Across their projects, the filmmakers explore unseen stories, from the legacy of the Nok civilization to the aftermath of the EndSARS protests, community displacement, the journey of a teenage chess prodigy and a film exploring dance as a bridge between people in Northern Nigeria.

These films offer a portrait of today’s Nigeria, challenging stereotypes and reflecting the country’s complexity.

They were mentored for seven months by renowned Nigerian and French instructors like Ike Nnaebue, Chika Oduah, Marjolaine Grappe, Louise Monlaü and Joel Kachi Benson, the first Nigerian filmmaker to receive an Emmy Award for his documentary, Madu.

“This initiative once again demonstrates our commitment to supporting Nigeria’s cultural and creative industries, particularly by opening pathways to international markets for African film and audiovisual creatives,” said

Christophe Pécot, Regional Audiovisual Attaché at the French Embassy in Nigeria.

A special session, dedicated to the Nigerian talents and documentary landscape, will give the opportunity to the Nigerian filmmakers to present their projects in front of major international commissioners, buyers and networks seeking to commission, co-produce or acquire content.

The delegation’s journey will conclude in Paris with an exclusive screening for French industry professionals, showcasing the five documentaries and further strengthening professional connections between Nigerian and European documentary ecosystems.

“This is the fourth time that young filmmakers from our programme have had the opportunity to attend international documentary festivals.

These experiences allow them understand the industry’s expectations while building a professional network that gives them visibility across the continent and beyond.

Many short films produced during previous training cycles have travelled to dozens of festivals and won numerous awards. We wish our new fellows the same success!”, said Sophie Bouillon, founder of StoryMi.