Ibadan Indie Film Awards Returns for Fifth Edition

The Ibadan Indie Film Awards (IFA) is returning for its fifth edition. IFA 2026 will take place from 27 to 29 November 2026 at New Culture Studios, Oremeji, Mokola, Ibadan, under the theme ÀTÙPÀ, the Yoruba word for lamp.

From a small start to a growing community

IFA began in 2022 with limited resources, a small team, and a simple belief: independent filmmakers needed a place in Ibadan to share their work, meet one another, and feel at home.

Five years later, it has grown well beyond an annual awards ceremony. Over the years, the platform has screened films, hosted filmmaker workshops, open mics, conversations, exhibitions and performances, while recognising independent filmmakers across its award categories. Most importantly, it has built a community of filmmakers, artists, audiences, volunteers and collaborators who keep coming back year after year.

What ÀTÙPÀ means

The theme reflects on IFA’s journey and the people who helped build it. According to the organisers, ÀTÙPÀ represents a small light that doesn’t illuminate the entire road but gives you enough light to take the next step.

Five years in, the festival says it is still learning, but is ready to be bolder. This year’s edition aims to be more immersive and memorable, bringing screenings, exhibitions, performances, conversations, audiences and filmmakers together in one shared space.

What to look out for at IFA 2026

IFA Kids premiere

IFA Kids is the festival’s film education initiative for young people. It introduces them to filmmaking, storytelling, film criticism, communication, leadership, and the many creative roles behind cinema. This year, the initiative takes an important step with the premiere of a short film created by its young participants, presented as part of the festival.

The IFA Journal (2022–2024)

The festival will also launch the IFA Journal, a record of the people, films, spaces and movements that have shaped Ibadan’s independent film culture, and of IFA’s own place in that story.

Screenings, exhibitions and performances

Across three days, audiences can expect film screenings, conversations with filmmakers, exhibitions, poetry, music and performances, ending with the awards.

A word from the founder

Speaking ahead of the fifth edition, IFA founder Chukwu Martin said:

“As we enter our fifth year, we are becoming more intentional about the communities and press that have helped carry IFA this far. We want our collaborations to go beyond simply supporting an event; we want to build impactful relationships. We are grateful to New Culture Studios, which has given IFA a home, BIHBOL for its continued support, our previous partners and everyone who has contributed their time, talent, resources and presence over the years. We are equally excited about the new collaborators joining us in 2026 and what we can build together.”

IFA is home again

For five years, IFA has been about creating room: for films, for filmmakers, for conversations, and for people to find one another. In the organisers’ words, this year ÀTÙPÀ is leading the community home, holding its hand and lighting the way.