The powerful documentary Mothers of Chibok has been officially selected to compete in the International Competition at the FIPADOC International Documentary Film Festival in Biarritz, France, organisers have confirmed. The film is set to screen twice during the festival, on January 27 and January 30, 2026, bringing renewed global attention to a story rooted in resilience, hope and activism. 

Produced and directed by acclaimed Nigerian filmmaker Joel ‘Kachi Benson, Mothers of Chibok continues the conversation on the aftermath of the tragic 2014 kidnapping of schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, when Boko Haram abducted 276 schoolgirls, sending shockwaves across Nigeria and the world. 

Mothers of Chibok follows the lived experiences of four Nigerian women whose daughters were kidnapped in the Chibok incident. The documentary weaves together moments of grief, resilience, and steadfast hope as these mothers navigate life long after the world’s spotlight faded. The film portrays their courage, daily struggles and continued advocacy for the return and welfare of the remaining girls who still have not come home. 

The documentary builds on Benson’s earlier work in Daughters of Chibok, a virtual reality piece that won the Best Immersive Story award at the Venice International Film Festival in 2019 and helped bring international focus to the Chibok tragedy. 

Since its premiere at the Doc NYC festival in New York, Mothers of Chibok has become a fixture on the international documentary circuit and won the Best African Feature Documentary prize at the Encounters South African International Documentary Festival in 2025, underscoring its impact and global relevance. 

Recognition at FIPADOC 2026

The FIPADOC International Documentary Film Festival, held annually in Biarritz, France, is one of the world’s leading documentary festivals, attracting filmmakers, critics and audiences who champion fact-based storytelling from around the globe. The festival’s International Competition highlights outstanding documentaries that combine artistic excellence with meaningful social impact. 

Mothers of Chibok’s official selection into the 2026 competition places it among a diverse slate of films that explore urgent global issues and celebrate underrepresented voices. The two scheduled screenings on January 27 and January 30 will offer audiences in France a chance to see a deeply human story shaped by community resilience and ongoing struggle for justice. 

For the filmmakers and participants alike, the invitation to FIPADOC represents more than festival recognition. It amplifies the voices of women from Chibok whose stories have often been overshadowed in mainstream media, inviting international audiences to engage with narratives of survival, dignity and activism. Mothers of Chibok showcases documentary film as a medium not just for storytelling but for empathy and social awareness.

The film’s success at previous festivals and now its inclusion at FIPADOC highlights a broader shift in how African documentary films are being recognised on major global stages. It confirms that Nigerian non-fiction storytelling continues to break barriers and demand attention for topics that are both locally grounded and globally significant.

As screenings approach, film lovers, human rights advocates and Nigerian cinema supporters are expected to join global audiences in celebrating a powerful work of documentary filmmaking that honours real lives and raises awareness long after headlines fade.