The Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival has condemned any affiliation with organisations that require Nigerian actors and other industry participants to pay between N1.5 and N2.5 million in order to attend the Canada Black & Diversity Film Market Summit (CBDFM).
Isioro T. Jaboro, the festival’s senior management, stated in a statement dated May 27, 2024, that interested parties are urged to apply for a visa on the official Citizenship and Immigration Canada website and register for the festival each year through the TINFF or CBDFM Summit website.
As of late, we have discovered that certain people in the industry—Nigerian actors in particular—are requested to pay fees between 1.5 and 2.5 million naira in order to attend or take part in the Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF + CBDFM Summit).
“TINFF and CBDFM Summit will never charge more or handle visa applications for delegations from the Nigerian or African entertainment industries, which includes actors, filmmakers, and other professionals. The only fee levied by TINFF is a festival pass, which is $250 for filmmakers whose films are included in the official selection and $350 for those whose films are not, under the TINFF + CBDFM Summit.
TINFF, which was established seven years ago, is celebrating its eighth year in September and continues to serve independent filmmakers, performers, and industry professionals. Although TINFF has invited and awarded numerous Nollywood actors and directors, our focus and expansion have never been primarily dependent on the well-known figures in the Nigerian film industry.
“Let’s protect the TINFF brand, which is available to filmmakers, actors, festivals, executive producers, financial institutions, and movie practitioners who wish to participate and be a part of the TINFF experience, as the only Nollywood –African festival recognised by Telefilm Canada and the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television as a Canadian Screen Award Qualifying Festival (The Canadian Equivalent of the Oscars),” stated Jaboro.