The Nigerian director behind ‘Daughters of Chibok’ returns with a powerful story of survival. The story is set to screen at the Encounters Festival in South Africa.
More than a decade after the world was shaken by the abduction of 276 schoolgirls from Chibok, Nigeria, award-winning director Kachi Benson returns with Mothers of Chibok. This is a gripping follow-up that dives into the lives of the women left behind.
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The film, shot in Benson’s signature immersive style, is a raw and intimate portrayal of grief, strength and defiance in the face of unimaginable loss. It is told through the eyes of the mothers. Mothers of Chibok moves beyond headlines to explore how these women have rebuilt their lives. They fight for justice, raise their communities and refuse to be forgotten.
“They Are More Than Mothers of Missing Girls”
“These women are farmers, community leaders, advocates. Their stories deserve to echo far beyond the borders of Nigeria,” says Benson. With Mothers of Chibok, he challenges audiences to rethink what it means to endure—and what it takes to move forward.
The documentary premiered at DOC NYC. It has been shown at international festivals including Santa Barbara and iREP in Lagos. It arrives in South Africa this June for the Encounters South African International Documentary Festival.
Storytelling as a Tool for Social Change
Benson isn’t just screening the film—he’s starting conversations. As part of his commitment to advocacy, he’ll join panels and workshops during the festival. There, he will talk about the role of storytelling in healing and social justice. This will focus particularly on women in agriculture, many of whom continue to bear the brunt of violence and neglect in rural areas.
“Every day, I wait for my daughter. Every day, I hope someone listens. Through this film, maybe the world will not forget us,” says Yana Galang, one of the mothers featured in the documentary.
From Chibok to the World
Benson has made global headlines before—Daughters of Chibok won Best Immersive Story at the 76th Venice International Film Festival. More recently, he made history as the first Nigerian nominated for Outstanding Direction and Outstanding Arts and Culture Documentary at the News & Documentary Emmy Awards. This was for MADU, his Disney+ film about a young Nigerian ballet dancer, co-directed with Oscar-winner Matt Ogens.
With Mothers of Chibok, Benson once again shows why his work resonates: it centres humanity. It listens. And it refuses to let the world look away.
