“Mothers of Chibok” Opens 2025 iRep Festival as Director Shares Inspiration

The 2025 iRepresent International Documentary Film Festival opened with “Mothers of Chibok”, a documentary by Joel Kachi Benson that revisits the Chibok kidnapping through the lens of the grieving mothers.

The film captures the experiences of the women whose daughters were abducted in Borno State in 2014, highlighting not just their pain but also their resilience.

Speaking on March 27, Benson, who also directed “Daughters of Chibok”, explained his decision to tell this story from a different perspective.

“I spent more time with these women and realized there was more than just grief, there was strength and courage. I questioned why we were so fixated on pain without acknowledging their resilience,” he said. “For me, ‘Mothers of Chibok’ is a labor of love and a responsibility to tell balanced stories.”

Raphael Udeeze, the film’s assistant producer, also shared his experience working on the project. “At first, it was overwhelming, but meeting these women, there were moments I found myself emotional. Their stories are deeply moving,” he told TNR.

Beyond its festival premiere, Benson revealed that discussions are underway for a broader distribution plan to bring “Mothers of Chibok” to wider audiences.