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IREP 2022 opening film is ‘PRESIDENT’ by Camilla Nielssen, showing Thurs March 17

‘Running March 17 through the 20th at various other venues, including its traditional base, Freedom Park Broad Street, and at the Art Factory hall of the Crown Troupe of Africa in Bariga Lagos, among others, the festival in its 12th edition is exploring the theme, UNFILTERED: African Stories. Stories from Africa, which is another iteration from its conceptual framework of “Africa in Self-Conversation…’

THE 2022 iREP International Documentary Film Festival kicks off formally in a grand opening event that would in the main presents the critically acclaimed film, ‘PRESIDENT’, by Camilla Nielsson at the Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos on Thursday, March 17.

Running March 17 through the 20th at various other venues, including its traditional base, Freedom Park Broad Street, and at the Art Factory hall of the Crown Troupe of Africa in Bariga Lagos, among others, the festival in its 12th edition is exploring the theme, UNFILTERED: African Stories. Stories from Africa, which is another iteration from its conceptual framework of “Africa in Self-Conversation.”

According to a press release from the programme directorate of the festival, the idea of the 2022 theme is to focus attention on “how Africa is being represented or otherwise by filmmakers and storytellers who engage her issues.”

The release said, about 70 films drawn from 28 countries cutting across four continents will feature in the festival that has become a leading light of documentary film production and expression in West Africa, and by extension the continent of Africa.

“IREP is excited to present ‘PRESIDENT’ as “an important seminal and nuanced African story which not only fulfills moral and political prerequisites but also creative advancement in documentary filmmaking,” stated the release, adding:

‘PRESIDENT’ has been featured in several global Film festivals, including at the Sundance Film Festival, where it was a major entry, and screened to huge applause.

“The Director-Producer of the film, Camilla Nielsson, will give a talk on the making of the film and will entertain questions and comments from the audience.”

Continued the release, “The film, ‘PRESIDENT’, is a riveting and epic reminder that, while specifics may differ, the fight for democracy is of universal relevance. Zimbabwe is at a crossroads. In the first election since the removal of Robert Mugabe, the new leader of the opposition Nelson Chamisa is challenging the dictator’s corrupt legacy, and his successor Emmerson ‘the crocodile’ Mnangagwa. The election will be the ultimate test for both sides. How they interpret the principles of democracy, if they can inspire trust among the citizenry, not succumb to violence, and foster faith in institutions, will set the course for the future of the country.”

iREP is organised by the Foundation for the Promotion of Documentary Film in Africa, and is in collaboration with the San Diego, US-based African World Documentary Film Festival, AWDFF, with partnership support from German Films, AgDok, Goethe Institut Lagos, among other local and international organisations.

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