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Nollywood is set to take another major step onto the international festival circuit as three Nigerian films secure spots at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
The 51st edition of the prestigious festival is scheduled to take place in Toronto, Canada, from September 10 to 20, bringing together filmmakers, actors and cinema enthusiasts from different parts of the world.
This year’s selection includes three Nigerian productions, highlighting the growing international interest in stories from the country’s film industry.
One of the major Nigerian entries is The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives, directed by Daniel Oriahi and produced by EbonyLife Films.
The movie is an adaptation of Lola Shoneyin’s acclaimed novel and explores marriage, secrecy, patriarchy and the experiences of women within a polygamous household.
The film features an impressive cast, including Odunlade Adekola, Omowunmi Dada, Bimbo Ademoye, Iyabo Ojo and Mercy Aigbe. It will premiere in TIFF’s Centrepiece section before its planned cinema release in December.
Another Nigerian production at the festival is Clarissa, directed by the Esiri Brothers. The Lagos-set drama, which previously premiered at the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, offers a contemporary interpretation of Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway.
Clarissa brings together an international cast featuring Sophie Okonedo, David Oyelowo, India Amarteifio and Ayo Edebiri. Its selection at TIFF further demonstrates the increasing ability of Nigerian filmmakers to tell locally rooted stories for international audiences.
Completing Nigeria’s representation is The Spectacular Death of Prisca by Kaelo Iyizoba. The film will compete in TIFF’s shorts programme and stars Rita Dominic, Genevieve Umeh, Shamz Garuba and Kenzy Udosen.
Set against a nostalgic visual backdrop inspired by the 1980s and early 2000s, the film follows a mother facing a desperate and high-pressure mission to save her daughter on her wedding day.
The presence of these three productions at TIFF marks another significant moment for Nollywood on the global stage.
Their selection places Nigerian filmmakers and performers alongside productions from across the world, giving audiences outside Africa an opportunity to engage with diverse Nigerian narratives.
As Nigerian films continue appearing at major international festivals, the recognition could also create opportunities for wider distribution, partnerships and greater global visibility for the country’s creative industry.
With TIFF 2026 approaching, attention will now turn to how these Nigerian productions perform before international audiences and critics.
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