Vanessa Obioha
‘Skin’, a documentary by Nollywood actress Beverly Naya and directed by Etim Effiong will be opening the ninth edition of iREP International Documentary Film Festival scheduled for Wednesday, March 20-24. The film which explores the negative impact of skin bleaching featured Eku Edewor, Diana Yekini, Phyno and Bobrisky who shared their views on colourism.
“Looking back at our journey so far, it is good to know that young talents like Naya and Effiong made us establish this platform where they can showcase their works. It is a good thing to see these young Nollywood stars delve into the not-so-glamorous genre of documentary,” said filmmaker and co-founder of the festival.
In its usual tradition, the documentary film festival will open with a cocktail party at Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos.
Themed ‘Storylines’, this year’s festival will feature 30 documentary films that reflects the Africa-in-Self-Conversation theme over the period of four days, March 21-24. Also, there will be presentations and panel discussions from highly renowned personalities like Prof. Jonathan Haynes, Prof. Niyi Coker, Theo Lawson among others.
Known for its reputation to train young filmmakers in the art of documentary filmmaking, this year will see 70 young and upcoming filmmakers trained in the ‘Basics of Storytelling’ and the ‘Vision of Directing’. The training is in partnership with the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC).
This year will also see iREP in partnership with the Independent Television Producers Association of Nigeria (ITPAN) host a pitch forum for young and old documentary filmmakers to present their non-fictional film project ideas with special focus on social/cultural developments in and around Africa before a selection panel. The proposed pitching forum seeks to grow and encourage a spirited generation of factual filmmakers.
Films screenings will take place simultaneously throughout the festival at Freedom Park and Nigerian Film Corporation, Ikoyi, Lagos.
