iREP was initiated in 2011 by three Nigerian culture workers and activists to promote independent documentary film production, expression and discourses, especially to spread global awareness about the role of documentary films in deepening participatory democracy. Some of its other objectives include creating a platform of awareness and expression for aspiring and practising filmmakers, and providing a forum for people’s ingenuity to be showcased without prejudice to style or subject.
IREP 2014 – RAISON D’ETRE
The 2014 iREPRESENT International Documentary Film Festival is conceived on the traditional framework of Africa in Self-conversation and will explore the theme ‘Rhythms of Identity’. Everything is about representation. Images are important, they are political; they form the rhythm of our identity and are present in all the elements that define who we are – music, dance, language, religion, governance, dressing, etc. iREP 2014 will interrogate the patterns of representation in Africa using the metaphor of music and rhythms which significantly stands us out from the rest of the World.
As Africans, our relationship with sound and movements is remarkably distinct from any other cultures of the World; whether or not an African is born and bred on the continent, there is a sense of appreciation for sound and movement that can almost be described as a ‘sense of one-ness’ with sound. This innate attachment to rhythms and the musical is far beyond body gyration or wanton excitement; it is an identity that reaches far into the cosmos of African existence; a tool for self-awareness, self-interrogation, and self-edification.
In the myriad of complications that come with consumerist globalization, the African identity is at a huge disadvantage. The African identity is always as defined by international capitalist media; a definition which constantly raises the question of whether there is any form of humanism in Africa.
At such times as this, our rhythms provide us with a repertoire of examples that raise a rebuttal to the prevalent argument and mind-set that intractably seek to write Africa into dark ages. What do our rhythms tell us about our identity as Africans, what might we discover about ourselves if we dare to interrogate our past. These are the arguments that the 2014 iREPRESENT International Documentary Film Festival will explore.
KEY FEATURES OF iREP 2014:
The festival’s keynote address on the Opening day Thursday 20th March will be delivered by the Director-General of the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Mr. Emeka Mba. Time 10am prompt. The keynote is titled "Rhythms ofAmalgamation- Fashioning a Nigerian Identity."
1. iREP 2014 will feature highly respected filmmakers from different parts of the World. It will also feature a rich collection of award-winning Documentary films from across the world, complemented by works of young and old filmmakers in Nigeria. This year, we also introduce a special room; which is entirely dedicated to films screenings all day throughout the period of the festival. This is to cater for participants who are wholly interested in films screening, and also allow other participants see a film they might have missed.
2. iREP 2014 Festival will feature the PRODUCERS' ROUNDTABLE an international co-production and co-operation forum for documentary filmmakers, established during the 2011 festival. The Filmmakers’ Roundtable will hold on Friday 21st & Saturday 22nd March, 2014, and will explore innovative options and opportunities in international co-productions and distributions. The forum will bring together international organizations such as Goethe, AGDOK,
DOKFEST, AWDFF, Africa Magic and other relevant support Institutions for African cinema.
3. iREP 2014 will also feature a filmmaker’s workshop targeted at upcoming filmmakers who need an immersion into how to take advantage of digital filmmaking possibilities. The trainings will introduce aspiring filmmakers to Techniques of Doing More with Less in Digital Filmmaking, and Documentary Appreciation & Styles, facilitated by Lanre Olupona and Barbel Mauch. This holds on Friday 21st & Saturday 22nd March, 2014.
The plenary sessions of the Festival will also include Paper Presentations and Panel Discussions by top culture workers, intellectuals, scholars and art activists. The festival will close on Sunday 23rd March with a Jazz concert.
About iREPresent Film Forum.
The Conceptual framework of iREPRESENT (iREP) is AFRICA IN SELFCONVERSATION; and it is designed to promote awareness about the power of documentary format to serve as a means of deepening and sharing social and
cultural education as well as encouraging participatory democracy in our societies.
iREP is conceptualized to create platform of awareness and expression for aspiring and practicing filmmakers who are creating socially relevant documentary films to positively impact our world. To fully engage an array of trans-cultural creativity, iREP will provide a forum for everyone's ingenuity to be showcased without prejudice to style or subject.
iREP celebrates the ever expanding world of documentary films by inviting talents from across the globe to share ideas on trends and technological advancements in the format.
Since 2011, the iREPRESENT International Documentary Film Festival has hosted over 3000 participants. This year, our target audience includes young/ professional filmmakers, screenwriters, production Company executives, TV executives, feature Documentary development executives, film workers, distributors, commissioning editors, cinematographers, sales agents, producers’ reps, entertainment lawyers, animators, Editors, national and state film organizations, government agencies, trade show exhibitors, new media professionals and content creators.
iREP International Documentary Film Festival was founded by a board of directors which include FEMI ODUGBEMI, Award-winning Producer/director, past President of ITPAN (Independent Television Producers Association of Nigeria) & CEO of DVWORX STUDIOS; JAHMAN ANIKULAPO, culture journalist and activist, Programmes Director of CORA (Committee for Relevant Art) & Project Director of Culture Advocates Caucus, (CAC); and, MAKIN SOYINKA, culture activist and filmmaker- all are operatives of the West AfricanDocumentary Film Forum, WADFF – with a mission to develop and nurture the talent of young filmmakers in Africa and internationally. We warmly invite you to keep the date and participate at this unique international gathering of Africa's non-fiction filmmaking community for an exciting and change-inspiring experience. Registration is at the venue and attendance is free. We look forward to welcoming you!