The documentary Mothers of Chibok, directed by award-winning Nigerian filmmaker Joel ‘Kachi Benson, premiered on November 16 at Doc NYC, a prominent documentary film festival in New York.
The film tells the story of four mothers from Chibok, whose daughters were among the schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram militants in 2014.
Spanning a farming season, it offers an intimate exploration of their lives, showcasing their resilience, faith, and unyielding hope despite the enduring pain of the tragedy.
Benson describes Mothers of Chibok as a continuation of his earlier work, Daughters of Chibok, a virtual reality film that won the Best Immersive Story award at the 76th Venice International Film Festival. This achievement marked a milestone as Benson became the first African filmmaker to win in that category.
Reflecting on his motivation, Benson shared his deep connection with the Chibok mothers, forged over five years of living, working, and listening to their stories. He expressed a desire to present the women as more than survivors of a tragic event, highlighting their strength, joy, and determination to carry on.
He said:
“For the last five years, I have spent time with the mothers and survivors of the Chibok tragedy. I’ve eaten with them in their homes, played with their children, and gone with them to till their farms.
“Above all, I’ve listened to their stories – the ones they’ve told me, and those I overhear in passing conversations. And what I’ve learned is that the women of Chibok are more than the tragedy that is mainly used to describe them,” he shared about the film.
The documentary challenges the prevailing narrative that often portrays the Chibok mothers solely as victims. Benson emphasized their humanity and heroism, describing them as “warriors of hope” who continue to find moments of joy and purpose despite their immense loss.
He continued:
“They are heroines. They have not forgotten their daughters, but they’ve continued living, finding moments of joy, laughter, and purpose,” he said, adding “This film captures their full humanity – not just the sorrow – but the strength, the courage, and the quiet moments of triumph. It’s time the world sees these women for who they truly are, not as victims, but as warriors of hope.
“This is a side to them that not very many are familiar with. And this is why I chose to make ‘Mothers of Chibok’ – a film about women bravely holding onto hope in the face of adversity.”
Through this lens, the film seeks to redefine how the world perceives these women, celebrating their courage and resilience while acknowledging their sorrow.
Produced by Impact Partners and Hunting Lane, the documentary benefits from the expertise of organizations known for supporting impactful storytelling. Impact Partners has financed numerous independent documentaries, while Hunting Lane has a reputation for creating narrative features and series such as The Accountant and Exhibiting Forgiveness.
These collaborators bring depth and professionalism to the project, amplifying its global significance.
Following its premiere at Doc NYC, Mothers of Chibok will have an additional screening on November 20 before embarking on a tour in Nigeria. The film aims to inspire broader conversations about resilience and hope, offering audiences worldwide a chance to witness the incredible strength of the Chibok mothers and their enduring fight for justice and recognition.
