The iREP International Documentary Film Festival made a triumphant return last weekend, unveiling its 14th edition filled with captivating documentary films and stimulating discussions. With the theme ‘Freedom: Rights and Responsibility,’ the festival explored diverse forms of freedom through films that highlighted personal resilience, cultural history, and the quest for justice.
From the endurance and self-discovery captured in Limo on the Run, which chronicles Kenyan sky runner and architect Limo Kipkemoi’s journey, to the emotional Mothers of Chibok, which documents the lives of the women affected by the infamous 2014 Chibok Girls abduction, the festival offered an immersive exploration of freedom’s many facets. Kipkemoi's story is one of pushing physical and mental limits, while Mothers of Chibok reflects the deep emotional toll and the strength of women who chose resilience in the face of unimaginable loss.
Freedom Explored Through Film
“The films we selected were not meant to narrow down what freedom is all about,” said Femi Odugbemi, the executive director of iREP. “We wanted freedom to be interpreted in different spheres of life.”
In keeping with this ethos, the festival featured a variety of perspectives, each bringing its own unique interpretation of freedom—whether personal, social, or political. The films provided audiences with a thought-provoking canvas, revealing the intricate relationships between individual choices, collective action, and the responsibility that accompanies freedom.
In-Conversation Segment: Filmmakers Discuss Their Craft
A highlight of the festival was the In-Conversation segment, where filmmakers engaged in rich, insightful discussions about their craft, visions, and philosophies. Among the featured filmmakers was Nigerian-Paris-based imagist Andy Okoroafor, who is currently working on a documentary about celebrated Nigerian artist and architect Demas Nwoko. Okoroafor, known for his attention to visual design in filmmaking, emphasized the importance of design in conveying authenticity. As an imagist, he spoke passionately about the ways design can elevate a film and bring its core message to life. He argued that design is not just an aesthetic choice but a vital tool for storytelling, enabling filmmakers to connect with audiences on a deeper level.
Irish filmmaker Ruan Magan also participated in the discussion, presenting his film Steps of Freedom, which explores Ireland's historical and cultural landscape through the performing art of dance. Magan highlighted how dance serves as a powerful expression of independence, using movement to represent freedom on a physical and emotional level.
Exploring Art’s Role in Freedom
The festival’s tradition of wrapping up with the CORA Art Stampede continued this year with a panel discussion on ‘Is Art a Limitless Freedom Way?’ The conversation examined the relationship between art and freedom, asking whether the act of creating art can itself serve as a limitless expression of freedom, unbound by constraints.
Looking Forward: Fostering Conscious Filmmakers
As iREP celebrates its 14-year legacy, Odugbemi emphasized the festival's ongoing mission to cultivate documentary filmmakers who not only seek truth but aim to make a positive impact on society. “We are hoping to raise conscious filmmakers who are searching for truth, not just facts; filmmakers who want to use their art to make a better country, a better community, and a better world,” he stated.
Through its carefully curated films and robust dialogues, iREP continues to serve as a platform for emerging filmmakers to engage with important social issues, and to inspire the next generation of storytellers who will shape the future of documentary filmmaking in Africa and beyond.