‘Hope is a Word’ is a film about resistance through self-expression: In Nigeria’s Niger Delta, where oil extraction has poisoned the land for decades, poet and activist Nnimmo Bassey nurtures a new generation of writers to fight back.
This premiere is especially meaningful for me because the project was first presented and nurtured at the iREP Documentary International Film Festival in 2025, where its vision and potential immediately resonated with audiences and industry stakeholders alike…
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Screening schedules
Thursday 11th June
20:30 – 22:30 screening at Showroom Cinema, Screen 1
World Premiere with 30 minutes of combined Q&A with Maria and Nnimmo, and poetry performance by Nnimmo, Barinedum and Odudu-Abasi. EVERYONE INVITED.
22:30 – 01:00: Launch party at Industry Tap, 5 minutes walk from the Showroom Cinema
Saturday 13th June
18:30 – 20:15 screening at Curzon Cinema, Screen 1
followed by Q&A with Maria, Femi and Barinedum or Odudu
Sunday 14th June
12:45 – 14:30: screening Curzon Cinema, Screen 3
followed Q&A with Maria, Allen and Odudu or Barinedum
15:00 – 17:00, panel with Amnesty International at Gut Level, 3 minutes walk from the Curzon Cinema – Moderated by Amnesty International with Lazarus Tamana, legal experts from Leigh Day, Odudu-Abasi Asuquo and TBC
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I AM delighted to share that ‘Hope Is a Word’, our documentary feature film on the poets of the Niger-Delta, will meet the world at its World Premiere at the International First Feature Competition of the Sheffield DocFest UK on 11th June 2026.
‘Hope is a Word’ is a film about resistance through self-expression: In Nigeria’s Niger Delta, where oil extraction has poisoned the land for decades, poet and activist Nnimmo Bassey nurtures a new generation of writers to fight back. Directed by Maria Galliani Dyrvik in her feature-length debut, the film is produced by Anita Vedå for Smau Media in collaboration with Ginko Film and Zuri24media Lagos, with support from Vestnorsk filmsenter, Norsk filminstitutt, Fritt Ord, Fond for Lyd og Bilde, and Bergesenstiftelsen.
This premiere is especially meaningful for me because the project was first presented and nurtured at the iREP Documentary International Film Festival in 2025, where its vision and potential immediately resonated with audiences and industry stakeholders alike.
I am honoured to serve as Executive Producer on this inspiring work and look forward to joining the team in Sheffield to celebrate this important milestone. Congratulations to Maria, Anita, Nnimmo, Allen and all the participants whose voices and stories form the heart of this film.
- https://web.facebook.com/femiodugbemi
