By Milcah Tanimu

The Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF) has announced its 2024 nominees, showcasing a remarkable lineup of Nigerian talent. Among the nominees are legendary actor Pete Edochie, alongside rising stars Sharon Ooja and Wole Ojo.

TINFF, celebrated for its promotion of diversity and inclusion, honors filmmakers who advocate for equality, social justice, and understanding through their work. The festival, which includes competitive categories, live screenings, and an annual awards gala, is a significant event on the international film calendar. This year’s ceremony will take place from September 8 to 15 in Toronto.

Prominent Nigerian actors such as Pete Edochie, Wole Ojo, Uzor Arukwe, Jimmy Odukoya, Bimbo Manuel, Eso Dike, and Ayo Makun are nominated in the ‘Best Actor: African Film’ category. Sharon Ooja, Osas Ighodaro, Ireti Doyle, and Bukunmi Oluwasina are among the contenders for the ‘Best Actress: African Film’ award.

Below is the full list of nominees in various categories:

*Best Actor – African Film*
– Emmanuel Ilondior – Foreign Path 2 (Canada)
– Emmanuel Kabongo – Sway (Canada)
– Pete Edochie – Nnewi: The Land of Gold (Nigeria)
– Ayo Makun – Merry Men 3 (Nemesis) (Nigeria)
– Wole Ojo – Ego Nworji: Tender Hedges (Nigeria)
– Jimmy Odukoya – I Am Nazzy (Nigeria)
– Bimbo Manuel – My Name is Misan (Nigeria)
– Eso Dike – Why We Never Were (Nigeria)
– Uzor Arukwe – The Subterfuge (Nigeria – UK)
– Floyd Igbo – Shaping Us (Nigeria – UK)
– Mamadou Moustapha – Des Le Debut (Canada)
– Emmanuel Sabinus Chukwemeka – Dead Serious (Nigeria)
– James Gardner – Devil is a Liar
– Isaac Odeniran – Angry People of God (UK – Nigeria)

*Best Actress – Nollywood Films*
– Tope Olowoniyan – Depth of Us (Nigeria)
– Bukunmi Oluwasina – White and Black (Nigeria, UK)
– Ireti Doyle – Merry Men 3 (Nemesis) (Nigeria)
– Nadia Buari – Merry Men 3 (Nemesis) (Ghana, Nigeria)
– Tana Egbo-Adelana – Ego Nworji: Tender Hedges (Nigeria)
– Omowunmi Dada – L.I.F.E. (Nigeria)
– Chinonso Arubayi – I Am Nazzy (Nigeria)
– Blessing Jessica Obasi – The Subterfuge (Nigeria, UK)
– Kambilia Ofili – Shaping Us (Nigeria)
– Osas Ighodaro – Love, Lust & Other Things (Nigeria)
– Sharon Ooja – Dead Serious (Nigeria)
– Nancy Isime – Move Like a Boss (Nigeria)
– Yvonne Jegede – Sunset in the North (Nigeria)

*Best Film – Nollywood*
– Daddy
– Mirrors
– Dangerous Mission
– Rebellion
– Survivors
– The Subterfuge
– Life
– Broke and Proud
– Tarella: Princess of the Nile
– Jagun Jagun (The Warrior)
– Shaping Us
– Afamefuna
– Off the Edge
– Tienes 24 Horas (24 Hours Left) (Spain)
– 07.03 (7th of the 3rd)
– Wole Soyinka
– Love, Lust & Other Things

*Best African Female Filmmaker*
– Cordelia Emeh and Biodun Stephen – The Subterfuge (Nigeria/United Kingdom)
– Claret Onukogu – Dangerous Mission (Nigeria)
– Doyinsola Ajayi and Linda Marrick – Maki (Nigeria)
– Chinonso Ngozi Arubayi – I Am Nazzy (Nigeria)
– Tana Egbo-Adelana – Ego Nworji: Tender Hedges (Nigeria)
– Lolo Eremie – Tarella: Princess of the Nile (Nigeria)
– Chika Sally McKay – Patted Lie (Nigeria)
– Chinwe Eboh – Nnewi: The Land of Gold (Nigeria)
– Roberta Orioma – Why We Never Were (Nigeria)
– Pamela Tendayi Nyeke – Burns and Song (Zimbabwe)

*Best Music Video*
– Illusion of Ego (China)
– Italia (Italy)
– Shania Twain – Giddy Up (USA)
– 25 Ifedola Street (Nigeria)
– Mother’s Love – AAMA KO Mamata (Nepal)
– Hair (Canada)
– New Me (USA)
– Heading for the Light (United Kingdom)
– Ahora (It Is Now) (Spain)
– Coyote – Pocho featuring MC Magic (USA)
– Mama Said (Germany)
– Me. You. The Sea (Austria)
– Dobriy Zloy – Sirotkin (Uzbekistan)
– Raindrops (USA)
– Gethsemane (Canada)

*Best Experimental Film – Short*
– Chekhov (Syria)
– Wrong Direction (Germany)
– Blue (China)
– There is Fire (France)
– Barbie, My Angel! (Vietnam)
– Release Nuclear Contaminated Water (Hong Kong)
– Olga’s Eyes (Belgium)
– Tear of Ixora (Nigeria)
– Blessed by Sunlight (Kenya & Poland)
– Repercussions (Netherlands)
– Elegy (Belgium)
– Rever (Germany)
– Paired (Canada)
– Serial Hunters (Angola)
– Happy Curly
– Survival (Nigeria)

Stay tuned for more updates as the festival draws near, celebrating the best in Nollywood and global filmmaking talent.