By Moses Kolo
Kaduna International Film Festival on Monday hosted the Kaduna screening of a documentary by Chude Jideonwo, exploring experiences, realities and issues affecting Nigerians through personal stories.
The screening, held at Greyhobb, Barnawa, Kaduna, brought together filmmakers, creatives, stakeholders and film enthusiasts for a Citizen Roundtable and exclusive screening.
Mr Israel Audu, Executive Director, Kaduna International Film Festival (KADIFF), who Welcomed participants, described documentary filmmaking as an avenue for preserving memories, examining realities, celebrating people and ideas, and stimulating conversations capable of shaping society.
Audu said the screening was more than watching a film, but an opportunity for participants to listen, reflect, learn and engage with issues raised by the documentary.
He said the documentary provided important perspectives on the evolution of Nigeria’s media and creative landscape, as well as the possibilities created when young people were given the courage and platform to tell their stories.
Audu said the documentary was an independent work of journalism and storytelling, with its producers committed to documenting and examining events affecting Nigerians through the experiences, perspectives and realities encountered during their reporting.
According to him, the producers did not endorse or support any political party, candidate, religious organisation or faith, but sought to approach the work with fairness, accuracy and editorial independence.
He added that while no documentary could capture every perspective or experience, the production provided an opportunity to preserve memories, stimulate conversations and encourage audiences to reflect on issues affecting society.
Audu commended Jideonwo and everyone involved in the production, saying KADIFF believed strongly in the power of cinema to build bridges across cultures, generations and communities.
An Abuja-based filmmaker, Mr Felix Bonkole, said the documentary was deeply emotional, particularly its portrayal of children affected by violence and women mourning at graves.
“I shed tears because I can relate. We have experienced riots and other terrible things, and seeing those young children passing through this, especially the women crying at the grave, touched my heart,” he said.
Bonkole commended Jideonwo for what he described as serious investigative journalism, saying the documentary had also prompted reflection on citizens’ responsibility to participate actively in society.
“We cannot just fold our hands and condemn the government. We, as citizens, should also play our role,” he said.
The screening was followed by a panel discussion during which panellists examined issues raised by the documentary and shared perspectives on their implications for society.
Participants also asked questions and made contributions, further deepening discussions around the issues presented in the film and the role of citizens in responding to developments in society.
The Kaduna screening followed an earlier screening of the documentary in Abuja and provided an opportunity for audiences in Kaduna to watch the film and engage with issues arising from its narrative.(NAN)
Edited by Yakubu Uba
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