The Foundation for the Promotion of Documentary Films in Africa (FPDFA)is a vital force in nurturing and amplifying the voices of African storytellers. Founded in Lagos, Nigeria, the FDPA champions documentaries across their lifecycle, from funding and production to distribution and archiving. The annual Irepresent International Documentary Film Festival Lagos serves as the FPDFA’s flagship event, providing a platform for established and emerging filmmakers to showcase their work. Through the monthly IREPXchange program, filmmakers gather to share resources, offer constructive feedback, and build a network of support.

Recognizing the financial hurdles faced by filmmakers, the Foundation actively seeks partnerships with local and international donors to fund promising documentary projects, with a particular focus on empowering young storytellers. The FPDFA commitment extends beyond production. The foundation understands the importance of preserving the rich tapestry of African stories and actively promotes the archiving of historical materials that serve as invaluable resources for future generations of filmmakers.

FPDFA stands as a cornerstone for African documentary filmmaking, fostering a vibrant community of storytellers and ensuring that their narratives find their rightful place on the global stage. “Documentary cinema is that nexus between fact, opinion and point of view. It offers narratives that document and open up new spaces, inspire new ideas and create social movements. And that is really because documentary is not a deliberate form. It starts from questions, not answers. That, in a nutshell, is why we founded the iREP Documentary Film Festival because we believe that the creative revolution in Africa, provides a unique opportunity for documentary filmmaking.“