Nigerian and broader African stories gain prominence in festival’s 50th edition lineup of 291 films
Babajide Fadoju Reports
As the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) marks its 50th edition from September 4 to 14, 2025, the full schedule has been made public, featuring 291 films across various programs. For African audiences, particularly in Nigeria, this year’s selection stands out for its inclusion of stories rooted in the continent, highlighting themes of identity, conflict, and cultural legacy amid global cinematic conversations.
The festival’s latest announcement adds six feature films, bringing the total to 209 features, 10 primetime series, 66 shorts, and six classics. Among the new additions is “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” directed by Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, making its North American premiere in the Special Presentations section. The drama reconstructs the tragic story of a five-year-old Palestinian girl killed during an Israeli military operation in Gaza, based on a real emergency call to Red Crescent volunteers. Ben Hania, known for her Oscar-nominated “The Man Who Sold His Skin,” draws from North African storytelling traditions to address broader issues of violence and resilience in the Arab world, resonating with African viewers familiar with narratives of displacement and injustice.
From a Nigerian perspective, a key highlight is the world premiere of “Dust to Dreams,” a short film directed by British actor Idris Elba and set in Lagos. Starring musician Seal, the film explores personal aspirations and urban life in Nigeria’s bustling economic hub, adding to the growing visibility of Nigerian stories on international stages. Elba, whose heritage traces back to Sierra Leone and Ghana, has positioned the project as a celebration of African dreams, aligning with efforts to amplify Nollywood’s global reach. This inclusion comes amid a wave of Nigerian involvement at TIFF, including the appointment of Nigerian film executive Moses Babatope to lead initiatives for African content through TIFF: The Market, a new platform launching in 2026 aimed at connecting African filmmakers with international opportunities.
Other African-connected films in the lineup underscore the continent’s diverse representation. The documentary “The Eyes of Ghana,” directed by American filmmaker Ben Proudfoot, examines Ghanaian culture and history, opening the TIFF Docs program. In the Wavelengths experimental section, Moroccan director Abdellah Taïa’s “Cairo Streets” and Tunisian Fredj Moussa’s “Land of Barbar” offer introspective looks at North African urban experiences and heritage. The Shorts program features “Jazz Infernal” by Côte d’Ivoire-born Canadian director Will Niava, an ode to jazz roots with African influences, and “Permanent Guest” by Pakistani-Canadian Sana Zahra Jafri, touching on diaspora themes relevant to African migrant communities.
Diaspora stories also feature prominently, such as “Origin: The Story of the Basketball Africa League,” tracing the NBA’s expansion into Africa, and “My Father’s Shadow,” exploring Black African heritage. In the Classics section, Iranian film “Bashu, the Little Stranger” by Bahram Beyzaie addresses war orphans, echoing African experiences of conflict in regions like Sudan and the Sahel.
TIFF’s focus on Africa extends beyond screenings. The festival hosts a Nollywood Brunch to foster connections among Nigerian filmmakers, and the “PERSPECTIVES Pathways to Africa” event features Nigerian producer Melissa Oluwarotimi Adeyemo, who works to bridge U.S. and Nigerian industries. Babatope has emphasized the need for dedicated spaces where African narratives can thrive, noting that platforms like TIFF help counter underrepresentation in global cinema.
The full schedule, available on the TIFF website, includes other international titles like Park Chan-wook’s “No Other Choice” from South Korea and Claire Denis’ “The Fence” from France. Tickets for members go on sale August 15, with public sales starting August 25. For Nigerians and Africans worldwide, TIFF 2025 represents a milestone in showcasing the continent’s evolving role in film, from Lagos streets to Gaza’s tragedies, amid calls for greater investment in local production