By Esther Onyegbula

A delegation of emerging Nigerian documentary filmmakers is making a strong impression on the global stage as they participate in the 2026 edition of FIPADOC, one of the world’s leading international documentary festivals, currently holding in Biarritz, France.

The festival, which kicked off on January 23 and runs till January 30, 2026, is the first major international documentary gathering of the year, drawing filmmakers, producers, broadcasters and commissioners from across the world.

The Nigerian delegation is attending the festival with the support of the French Embassy in Nigeria, in partnership with StoryMi Academy, a French-Nigerian organisation focused on nurturing documentary talent. At the festival, the filmmakers are presenting documentary projects still in development to international producers, platforms and broadcasters, in a move aimed at boosting Nigerian documentary voices globally and strengthening creative links between Europe and Africa.

The filmmakers were selected from the StoryMi Documentary Fellowship, a seven-month professional training programme that connects Nigerian and French documentary practitioners. Initiated in 2021 by journalist Sophie Bouillon through StoryMi Academy and supported by the French Embassy in Nigeria, the fellowship offers mentorship, production support and international exposure to emerging filmmakers.
The 2026 cohort includes Ayodele Isaac Ifeoluwa, Babalola Olayinka Eno, Bulus Blessing, Christopher Wonder and Okoh Faith Chukwuemeka. Their projects explore a wide range of themes reflecting Nigeria’s social realities, including the legacy of the ancient Nok civilisation, the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests, community displacement, the journey of a teenage chess prodigy, and the role of dance as a unifying force in Northern Nigeria.

Collectively, the documentaries present nuanced portraits of contemporary Nigeria, challenging stereotypes while highlighting the country’s diversity and complexity.
Over the course of seven months, the filmmakers were mentored by a team of renowned Nigerian and French professionals, including Ike Nnaebue, Chika Oduah, Marjolaine Grappe, Louise Monlaü and Joel Kachi Benson, the first Nigerian to win an Emmy Award for his documentary Madu.

Speaking on the initiative, Regional Audiovisual Attaché at the French Embassy in Nigeria, Christophe Pécot, said the programme aligns with France’s commitment to Nigeria’s creative sector.

“This initiative once again demonstrates our commitment to supporting Nigeria’s cultural and creative industries, particularly by opening pathways to international markets for African film and audiovisual creatives,” Pécot said.
A special session at FIPADOC has been dedicated to Nigerian documentary talents and the country’s documentary landscape, providing the filmmakers an opportunity to pitch their projects to major international commissioners, buyers and networks interested in commissioning, co-producing or acquiring content.

The delegation’s activities will culminate in Paris with an exclusive screening for French industry professionals, where the five documentaries will be showcased, further strengthening professional ties between Nigerian and European documentary ecosystems.
Founder of StoryMi Academy, Sophie Bouillon, expressed optimism about the fellows’ prospects, noting the programme’s track record.

“This is the fourth time that young filmmakers from our programme have had the opportunity to attend international documentary festivals. These experiences help them understand the industry’s expectations while building professional networks that give them visibility across the continent and beyond,” she said.

According to Bouillon, several short films from previous StoryMi training cycles have screened at dozens of festivals worldwide and won multiple awards, adding that the organisation hopes the 2026 fellows will record similar success.