… Babajide Fadoju Reports
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is set to host the TIFF 50 Industry Conference presented by Christie Digital from September 5 to 9, welcoming thousands of delegates from around the world, including a growing presence from Africa. The conference, a cornerstone of TIFF’s global reputation, is designed to foster business opportunities, strengthen international collaborations, and spotlight the decision-makers shaping the screen sector.
As TIFF marks its 50th edition, it is preparing for the future with the launch of TIFF: The Market in 2026, a new seven-day industry event funded by the Government of Canada and Telefilm Canada. The Market is expected to create an expanded space for international exchange across film, television, and innovation, and presents a major opportunity for African filmmakers and companies seeking stronger entry points into the global arena.
The conference will this year be anchored by six pillars — Visionaries, Dialogues, Perspectives, Microsessions, Spotlight, and the newly introduced Buyers in Focus. Together, these sessions will highlight creative voices, dissect market trends, and create direct pathways to international deal-making.
The Visionaries program will bring together global leaders such as Donna Langley of NBCUniversal, Andrea Scrosati of Fremantle, and Yelena Rachitsky of Meta, alongside award-winning storytellers Edward Berger and Sterlin Harjo. Dialogues, supported by Variety, will see conversations with filmmakers and producers on creative craft and industry shifts, while Perspectives panels will tackle urgent issues such as inclusivity in production, the challenges facing Latin American cinema, new opportunities in the MENA region, and the disruptive role of artificial intelligence in storytelling.
For African stakeholders, the Microsessions stand out with a dedicated programme titled SIRA | Inside the African Grid Shaping Our Future, designed to explore co-production, sales strategies, and positioning African stories in the global marketplace. This complements a broader focus on emerging markets and underrepresented voices in cinema, reinforcing TIFF’s role as a platform where African creativity can find new audiences and partnerships.
Spotlight events will create additional networking opportunities through pitching sessions, co-production forums, and financing discussions with national and regional agencies. Buyers in Focus, introduced for the first time this year, provides access to global distributors and acquisition executives from companies including Sony Pictures Classics, Mongrel Media, Constantin Film, and FilmOne Entertainment, one of West Africa’s leading distributors.
Alongside these industry pillars, TIFF continues to invest in the future of storytelling through its Talent Development Hub. This includes the Directors’ Lab, the Series Accelerator, and the Every Story Accelerator, as well as initiatives supported by global partners such as CHANEL, CJ Cultural Foundation, and Monkeypaw Productions. For emerging African filmmakers, these labs and funds provide essential pathways to gain international mentorship and support for their projects.
Special events will also enrich the conference, featuring conversations with leading actors and directors, live podcasts, and the Sloan Science & Technology Project Pitch, where creators present work exploring science and technology themes to industry leaders.
Accreditation for the conference, which provides full access to all industry sessions, is available online until August 22 and in person at the Hyatt Regency Toronto from September 2.
As Africa’s film industries continue to grow in scale and visibility, TIFF 50’s expanded industry programming underscores the importance of international platforms that not only celebrate cinematic talent but also create sustainable business linkages. With Africa now firmly part of the global storytelling conversation, TIFF provides an essential meeting ground for collaboration, co-production, and the amplification of new voices.