The documentary The Journalist Who Never Came Home, directed by Isaac Ifeoluwa Ayodele, has been selected for the inaugural edition of Beyond the Screen, scheduled to hold on August 10, 2026.
Beyond the Screen is a newly established film community founded by Jennifer Edna, created to connect short film and documentary filmmakers with audiences through screenings and meaningful conversations.
According to the organisers, Ayodele’s The Journalist Who Never Came Home joins Franklin Ogalanya’s Locked In, Chukwu Martin’s Tell It No More, and Aderemi Gabriel’s Curtain Call as part of the inaugural screening lineup.
The Journalist Who Never Came Home follows the disappearance of promising young journalist Pelumi Emmanuel Onifade during the 2020 End SARS protests. Days after his unexplained disappearance, his family received news of his death, but his remains were not released by the authorities.
Ayodele’s short documentary examines how the absence of a burial continues to leave Onifade’s family and friends without closure, highlighting the emotional consequences of being denied the opportunity to properly grieve.
With its focus on short films and documentaries, Beyond the Screen joins a growing number of community-led initiatives creating spaces for filmmakers to screen their work, connect with audiences, and engage in conversations around their stories.
