The Ibadan Indie Film Awards (IFA) is back, and for its 2025 edition, it’s planting its feet firmly where its heart is. Under the resonant theme “IFA IS HOME,” the festival is championing Ibadan not just as a location, but as a vital creative sanctuary for independent filmmakers.
This year’s focus is a deliberate homecoming. IFA aims to spotlight Ibadan as a city of belonging—a place where emerging storytellers can find their community, access resources, and gain recognition on their own terms.
“This year, we believe the moment has come to deepen that connection and focus intentionally on the filmmakers of Ìbàdàn,” says IFA Director, Moses Ipadeola. “It’s a place where local stories and voices are highlighted and celebrated.”
Founder ‘Chukwu Martin adds, “We want to show off filmmakers creating from Ìbàdàn and those who hold the city dear, as a home for creativity and revitalization.”
Since its launch in 2022, IFA has become a crucial launchpad for Nigerian indie talent, fostering local excellence and building bridges for international collaboration. Building on three successful years, the 2025 program will be its most ambitious yet, featuring workshops, screenings, and the launch of the IFA Journal (2022–2024)—a commemorative publication documenting the award’s first three years and a decade of Ibadan’s rich, independent film culture.
A Call for Film Writers and Critics
As part of this landmark edition, IFA is opening a call for contributions to the IFA Journal. Film journalists, critics, and writers are invited to submit essays, reviews, interviews, and reflections on independent filmmaking in Ibadan and beyond.
- Submission Deadline: October 20, 2025
- Contact: Send contributions to [email protected]
Selected works will be published in the journal and become a permanent part of the official IFA archive.
With “IFA IS HOME,” the festival reaffirms its commitment to not just celebrating creativity, but actively investing in the growth of Ibadan’s vibrant film community. The awards body also extended gratitude to its past partners and sponsors, including The German Consulate Lagos, Bihbol, Chalcys, Emerging African Artists (EAA), and The Blitz, among others.
The Ibadan Indie Film Awards 2025 will hold this November at the New Culture Studio, Oremeji, Ibadan.
