Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF)
**** A Canadian Screen Award-Qualifying Festival****
**** A Telefilm Canada Qualifying Festival ****
The Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF) proudly announces its recognition as an official Canadian Screen Award-qualifying festival by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. This prestigious designation places TINFF among the select festivals on the Academy’s 2024 updated qualifying list, marking a significant milestone in our mission to celebrate diversity and inclusion through film.
A Platform for Diversity and Inclusion
As a multicultural film festival, TINFF provides a creative space for Canadian and international films, emphasizing innovation, representation, and inclusion. Recognized as the first Canadian festival in North America with Nollywood ties to receive this distinction, TINFF continues to serve as a hub for diverse storytelling and celebrates the highest standards in Canadian cinema.
TINFF is also an IMDb and Telefilm Canada-qualifying festival, registered as a non-profit organization based in Toronto. Our partners, including Canadian Heritage, the Canada Media Fund, Ontario Creates, Telefilm Canada, and the City of Brampton, share our commitment to promoting diversity in the creative arts.
Qualification for the Canadian Screen Awards:
Under the Academy’s rules, acceptance into at least two Academy-approved Canadian festivals qualifies a feature documentary or theatrical short film for submission to the Canadian Screen Awards. This means all past and future TINFF official selections can now use TINFF as a qualifying festival for submissions to the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television.
For more details, visit the Academy’s eligibility page: [Academy’s Website] (https://www.academy.ca/canadian-screen-awards/rules-eligibility/).
Annual Festival Highlights:
TINFF is a year-round competition and live screening festival that brings filmmakers and artists to Toronto. The event celebrates independent filmmaking with activities such as:
- Film screenings with Q&A sessions
- Conferences, seminars, and live performances
- Stage plays, dance showcases, and audience engagement activities
- Workshop training and mentorship programs** aimed at fostering workforce development and creative growth
Our initiatives aim to build capacity and create opportunities for filmmakers, particularly those from marginalized Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities.
Canada Black & Diversity Film Market (CBDFM) Summit:
As part of TINFF’s annual program, the CBDFM Summit focuses on business development for filmmakers and industry stakeholders. Highlights include:
- B2B and B2C activities** to foster collaborations and distribution opportunities
- Acquisitions, networking, production collaborations, and negotiations
- Workshops, training, and masterclasses for skills development
- Film market screenings and one-on-one or group meetings
This platform bridges gaps in the film industry, emphasizing inclusion and innovation.
International Collaborations:
TINFF, alongside its sister event, the Brampton International Nollywood Film Festival (BINFF), has partnered with the Prague Film Festival (PFF) to promote cultural exchange between Canadian, Nollywood, and Czech cinema. Winners from each festival will have their films showcased at the partner event, furthering the shared commitment to diversity and global storytelling.
For more information about the Prague Film Festival, please visit their website or FilmFreeway page.
Submission Page: https://filmfreeway.com/PFF2025
Website: https://praguefilmfest.com/
Join Us in Celebrating Film:
TINFF invites you to experience the diversity and creativity that define our festival. By showcasing a blend of local and international films, we aim to inspire, challenge, and foster understanding through the universal language of cinema. Each year, our festival culminates in an award ceremony recognizing exceptional filmmakers and their contributions to promoting equality, social justice, and multiculturalism.
For updates and information about TINFF and our upcoming programs, visit our official website or connect with us on social media.
TINFF website: www.tinff.net
Awards & Prizes
- **Trophy Statue for Best Project**
- **Trophy Statue for Viewer’s Choice Award**
- **Entry into the Canadian Screen Awards (CSA) Consideration**
- **Entry into Telefilm Canada Grant Consideration**
- **Access to TINFF and CBDFM Summit**
Screening Formats
Accepted films may be screened live (in-person), digitally (online), or both. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, TINFF has adopted a hybrid format for its screenings and programs. We reserve the right to adjust delivery methods based on policies, government regulations, or unforeseen circumstances. The current plan includes both digital and in-person screenings.
Awards and Categories
All entries are eligible for awards. Winners receive a certificate suitable for display, while winners of our annual TINFF-Festival Gala are awarded an engraved Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF) Audience Favorite Trophy. The gala is held at The Toronto York Woods Theatres and includes festival screenings, red-carpet interviews, awards ceremonies, and networking opportunities.
Film Categories:
- Best Feature Film (Hollywood-USA)
- Best Feature Film (Nollywood)
- Best Feature Film (Bollywood)
- Best Feature Film (International)
- Best Feature Film (Caribbean)
- Best Feature Film (Canada)
- Best LGBT Feature Film
- Best LGBT Short Film
- Best Short Film
- Best Music Video
- Best Trailer
- Best Actor
- Best Actress
- Best Supporting Actor
- Best Supporting Actress
- Best Director
- Best Producer
- Best Web Series
- Best Horror
- Best Thriller/Action
- Best Comedy
- Best Animated Film
- Best Sci-Fi
- Best Student Film
- Best Documentary
- Best Editing
- Best Cinematography
- Best Visual Effects
- Best Original Music Score
- Best in Show
- Best Costume
- Best Art Director
- Best Music - Non-Visual (Audio Only Category)
- Best Reality Shows
- Best vBlog
- Best Gospel Video
- Best Female Filmmaker (Producer/Director)
New Categories Added This Year
- Audience Choice Award (Online Voting Category)
- Jury Award
- Best of Show
- Awards of Excellence
- TINFF’s Nollywood Special Jury Awards
- TINFF’s Bollywood Special Jury Awards
- The True-Sail Award for Outstanding Black Film/Filmmaker
- The True-Sail Award for Outstanding Minority Film/Filmmaker
- Awards of Merit
- Awards of Recognition
Screenplay Categories
- Screenplay under 30 pages
- Screenplay between 30-60 pages
- Screenplay over 60 pages