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At the Glenn Gould Studio of CBC Television in Toronto, celebrated filmmakers Omoni Oboli and Patricia Bebia officially launched NicaPro, a groundbreaking Nigeria–Canada film partnership designed to bridge Nollywood and Canada’s thriving screen industries.
The event also introduced the Future Reel Network, a not-for-profit platform that aims to empower women filmmakers through mentorship, training, and international collaboration.
Omoni Oboli, one of Nollywood’s most versatile filmmakers and actresses, has continued to expand her global footprint with her creative projects. Her film Okafor’s Law premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), while her latest digital success, Love in Every Word, has crossed over 28 million views on YouTube, making it one of the most-watched Nigerian films online.
Her growing influence in international cinema has positioned her as one of Africa’s strongest voices in the global film conversation.
Patricia Bebia, on the other hand, is a Canadian filmmaker and media executive widely known for her award-winning film The Life Coach.
As President of Diamond Plus Media and Executive Vice President of Afroglobal Television, Canada’s largest Black-owned media network, Bebia has built a career around amplifying diverse voices and promoting cultural exchange through storytelling.
The duo’s new venture, NicaPro, will produce six feature films over the next three years, combining African storytelling traditions with Canadian technical expertise. “Stories deserve the world, and the world deserves our stories,” Bebia said, describing the project as a creative bridge between two vibrant industries.
In addition to production, the Future Reel Network will tackle gender inequality in the film industry by providing access and opportunities for women to lead and collaborate. “Through the Future Reel Network, we’re creating access,” Oboli stated. “Talent is universal, but opportunity isn’t.”
The launch was widely celebrated by film and cultural leaders across both countries. Joan Jenkinson, Executive Director of the Black Screen Office, described NicaPro as “a strategy for connection and shared storytelling.”
The Honourable Dr. Jean Augustine praised the initiative for “strengthening cultural ties and driving opportunity on a global scale.”
Veteran filmmaker Jennifer Holness called the partnership “a transformative moment for the global screen industry,” while Ambassador Dr. Queen Blessing Ebigieson, President of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP) Nigeria, described it as “a powerful step toward a Nigeria–Canada co-production treaty that will expand markets and deepen creative ties.”
With NicaPro and the Future Reel Network, Oboli and Bebia are charting a new course for international collaboration, where women lead with vision and creativity.
Their joint efforts highlight the power of film as a cultural bridge one that connects continents, celebrates diversity, and opens doors for new generations of storytellers across Nigeria and Canada.
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