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Veteran Nigerian filmmaker Tunde Kelani and creative director Joel Benson are set to lead a special filmmaking workshop for young Nigerian storytellers ahead of the 2026 edition of the iREPRESENT International Documentary Film Festival.
The three-day training programme will focus on mobile phone filmmaking and is aimed at equipping emerging creatives with practical storytelling and documentary production skills.
The workshop, which is supported by Ecobank Nigeria, will run from March 16 to March 18 as part of the pre-festival activities.
The main festival itself will take place from March 18 to March 22 at the Ecobank Pan‑African Centre on Ozumba Mbadiwe Street in Lagos.
Organisers say the initiative is designed to empower young Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 25 who are interested in telling impactful stories using simple digital tools such as smartphones.
During the workshop, participants will receive hands-on training in several key areas of documentary filmmaking. These include story development, documentary research, mobile phone filming techniques, visual composition, interview methods and ethical storytelling.
The programme will also introduce participants to the basics of editing and post-production workflow, allowing them to transform raw footage into structured documentary narratives.
Kelani, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most influential filmmakers, will serve as the principal facilitator for the programme.
Benson, who gained international recognition after winning an Emmy Award in 2025 for the documentary MADU, will share insights on global documentary storytelling and festival recognition. Other facilitators include filmmaker Samuel Igbedion, who will guide practical production techniques, while cultural journalist Jahman Anikulapo will focus on research and editorial development.
Television producer Hadizat Ibrahim will handle sessions related to broadcast content creation.
In addition to the training sessions, participants will also have the opportunity to interact with notable figures in Nigeria’s film industry during a special meet-and-greet event.
Some of the expected guests include filmmaker Femi Odugbemi, veteran actress Joke Silva, filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, actor Antar Laniyan and singer-performer Nonso Bassey.
The networking session is expected to expose young participants to industry insights and potential career opportunities.
To further encourage creativity and excellence, outstanding films produced during the workshop will be rewarded with cash prizes.
The best documentary will receive ₦1,000,000, while the second-place winner will take home ₦750,000 and the third-place entry will receive ₦500,000. Additional consolation prizes will also be awarded to other impressive projects.
Interested applicants must submit a statement of interest explaining their motivation for learning documentary filmmaking and the social issue or story they wish to explore. They are also required to send a short video pitching their documentary idea.
The organisers say the initiative aims to make filmmaking more accessible and inspire young Africans to tell meaningful stories that reflect their communities and experiences.
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