Gateway City documentary earns special screening at iREP festival, showcasing Badagry’s history and its role in Lagos’ development

Documentary film Gateway City, directed by Viyon Awhanse, has secured a prestigious special screening at the 15th iREP International Documentary Film Festival.

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Awhanse disclosed this during an interview on Thursday in Badagry, Lagos State. He said the film explores the rich historical and cultural significance of Badagry within the broader development of Lagos.

According to the filmmaker, the Gateway City documentary goes beyond conventional storytelling by using innovative cinematic techniques to examine how trade, diplomacy and history intersect in a modern megacity.

“It raises a big question: how can big cities include their important gateways in future growth?” Awhanse said.

The documentary is scheduled for screening at the Ecobank Pan-African Centre in Victoria Island on Saturday, bringing its narrative to a wider audience of policymakers, creatives and cultural stakeholders.

The project was produced by the SMA Movement, led by Samuel Mawuyàn Ajose, with the story credited to Babatunde Mesiwaku, the group’s Lagos chairman.

Awhanse described the production as a bold step in using film as a tool for community engagement and education.

He noted that the organisation is committed to empowering young people and promoting sustainable development through storytelling.

Ajose also emphasised the importance of preserving heritage and projecting Lagos State’s global relevance.

He said the film highlights Badagry’s strategic role as a gateway with enduring historical value.

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The selection of Gateway City documentary for a special screening underscores its growing influence and cultural significance within Nigeria’s documentary film space.