Nigerian Filmmakers Dominate at Inaugural Canada International Mobile Film Festival

For several decades, Nigeria’s film industry has been marked by speed, creativity, and a desire to keep pace with advancing technology. Now, the country’s filmmakers are riding the mobile cinema wave sweeping the globe, replacing high-definition cameras with smartphones and small crews churning out stories that go way beyond home screens. This October, this revolution will be witnessed in all its brilliance in Toronto.

The inaugural Canada International Mobile Film Festival (CIMFF) on Oct. 11 at TIFF Lightbox in Reitman Square will screen films filmed entirely on mobiles. Of 166 global submissions, 70 were selected in ten competitive categories, with Nigerian productions being the most well-represented.

Acting talent comes to the fore first. Amongst Tonya Tam Azorbo (Appointed Time) and Sharon Francis (The Mark) in Best Actor was the global list of contenders. In Best Cinematography, Nigeria’s Charles Mmaduka (The Mark) and Oladipo OFresh (Sabbath) were selected for consideration for their work behind the camera.

Nigeria’s diversity is seen in drama and fiction. Contenders for Best Fiction/Drama, among others, include The Book Lover’s Love Story by Uche Eberechukwu and Olamide Sadiq, and Breaking the Silence by Oluwapelumi James Adio. In Best Social Impact Film, among others, are shortlisted for The Cult (Vivian Obianuju Nwoji), The Appointed Time (Winifred Allen Afahaene), and Breaking the Silence.

Post-production craft is also taking its deserved place. Best Editing nominees are Christmas Under the Bridge (Henry Chukwuka Nwachukwu), Our Love Is Art (Boluwatife Ajolore and Cornerstone Ephraim), and The Mark.

Best Experimental Film is where Nigeria holds court: The Iteration (David Israel), Our Nation Story (Samson Bethel), Tick Time (Omotilewa Odeyemi), Copper’s Journey (Rehwa-Oma Chikere), and The Appointed Time are all vying. Nigerians also feature in Best Comedy with The Constipated (Jennifer Nkem-Enaenya) and Copper’s Journey. Christmas Under the Bridge is Nigeria’s sole nomination for Best Documentary Film.

In addition to screenings, CIMFF will also feature masterclasses, live Q&A, networking events, and an awards night, with social media strategy, editing, and storytelling training aimed at mobile creators.

For Nigeria’s nominees, the award is not just a recognition within the festival space; it’s validation that mobile-first storytelling is equal to international benchmarks. And for CIMFF, it’s a chance to bring attention to a country whose filmmaking community has long been the vanguard of innovative methods of doing more with less, proving that a story does not grow taller by the diameter of the camera in use.

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