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About TINFF

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The Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF) is a leading multicultural film festival dedicated to promoting diverse storytelling, cultural exchange, and global collaboration through film, television, fashion, music, and the creative arts.

Founded in Canada as part of the True Sail Production & Motion Pictures ecosystem, TINFF has grown into an internationally recognized platform connecting Canadian, African, Caribbean, and global creatives through screenings, industry networking, training programs, market initiatives, and talent development opportunities.

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TINFF is proud to be:

  • Supported under Telefilm Canada’s Medium-to-Large Scale Festivals Program

  • An Official Canadian Screen Awards–Qualifying Festival

  • An IMDb-approved festival

 

The TINFF ecosystem includes BINFF, TICAFF, TINFF Fashion Week, TINFF Talent Hub, the CBDF Market Summit, and The Cinematic Box Distribution Canada — creating pathways for filmmakers through exhibition, education, co-production opportunities, market access, and worldwide distribution.

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Through its programs and partnerships, TINFF continues to elevate underrepresented voices while strengthening Canada’s position within the global entertainment industry.

 

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Rules & Regulations

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Eligibility
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  • TINFF accepts submissions from Canada and all international regions, including Nollywood, Hollywood, Bollywood, Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, Asia, and global independent cinema.

  • Films must be submitted to the most appropriate category based on runtime, genre, and format.

  • All submissions must comply with applicable copyright laws and permissions.

 

Festival Entry Pass Policy

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  • TINFF is a registered not-for-profit organization and relies on festival revenue, sponsorships, and partnerships to sustain its programming and operations.

  • All attendees, including filmmakers, delegates, nominees, cast, crew, and guests, are required to obtain an official festival pass or ticket for access to screenings, industry programs, workshops, networking events, red carpets, and gala activities.

  • Festival passes and tickets are non-refundable but transferable in accordance with festival policy.

  • Award winners attending the gala presentation will receive their official TINFF award trophy at no additional cost.

 

Hybrid Festival & Screening Policy

 

TINFF operates as a hybrid international festival with both in-person and digital programming components.

  • By submitting a project, applicants acknowledge and agree that TINFF reserves the right to exhibit, program, and screen accepted projects as part of the festival’s official hybrid programming.

  • Official selections may be screened in-person, online, or both, at the sole discretion of the festival.

  • Selection into TINFF does not guarantee an in-person theatrical screening.

  • Screening schedules are determined based on venue capacity, programming structure, technical requirements, runtime considerations, audience engagement, and festival logistics.

  • TINFF reserves the right to modify screening formats, venues, schedules, or delivery methods due to operational, governmental, technical, or venue-related requirements.

  • Accepted films may also be considered for affiliated ecosystem programming, industry showcases, educational sessions, partner presentations, and market-related activities connected to the TINFF ecosystem.

 

 

Film Length Categories
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  • Feature Films: 75 minutes or more

  • Medium-Length Films: 45–74 minutes

  • Short Films: 44 minutes or less

 

Submission Guidelines

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  • Films with or without distribution representation are eligible.

  • Multiple entries are permitted; each submission requires a separate entry fee.

  • Previously submitted projects may only be re-entered once, provided substantial updates have been made.

  • Submissions must be completed through the festival’s official submission platform using active and secure screening links.

  • Works-in-progress may be considered; however, TINFF is not obligated to review updated versions after submission.

  • Non-English language films must include English subtitles at the time of submission.

  • By submitting a project, entrants confirm they hold all necessary rights, clearances, licenses, and permissions required for festival exhibition.

 

Submission Materials

 

 

All submissions must include:

  • Project title

  • Director’s name

  • Production company information

  • Running time

  • Updated screening password (if applicable)

  • Accurate contact information for the submitter or rights holder

 

 

TINFF may request additional exhibition materials upon selection, including:

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  • MP4 screening files

  • DCP files for theatrical exhibition

  • Stills, posters, trailers, press kits, subtitles, and promotional assets

 

 

Exhibition Rights & Promotional Use

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  • Submission and acceptance into TINFF constitutes authorization for the festival to program and exhibit the selected work during the festival period and related official festival activities.

  • Entrants grant TINFF a non-exclusive, limited exhibition license for in-person, online, hybrid, promotional, educational, and affiliated festival presentations connected to the TINFF ecosystem.

  • TINFF may use approved film stills, posters, trailers, synopses, filmmaker information, and excerpts of up to three (3) minutes for promotional, publicity, archival, educational, press, sponsor, and marketing purposes across all media platforms.

  • Copyright and all intellectual property rights remain solely with the filmmaker and/or rights holder.

 

 

Awards & Jury Decisions

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  • All jury and programming decisions are final.

  • TINFF reserves the right to determine award eligibility, category placement, and competition status.

  • A category may be merged, expanded, reclassified, or removed based on the number and quality of submissions received.

 

 

Content Restrictions

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  • Pornographic material is strictly prohibited.

  • Films involving animal cruelty, hate speech intended to incite violence, or unlawful content will not be accepted.

  • TINFF reserves the right to decline any submission deemed inappropriate for festival programming.

 

 

Shipping & Delivery (If Applicable)

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  • Any requested physical exhibition materials must be shipped prepaid by the sender.

  • TINFF will not accept COD deliveries and is not responsible for customs fees, duties, taxes, loss, or damage during transit.

  • Any unclaimed materials remaining after the festival may be discarded after a reasonable holding period.

 

General Conditions

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  • Submission fees are non-refundable.

  • Entrants acknowledge that they have read, understood, and accepted all festival rules and regulations.

  • TINFF reserves the right to update or amend these regulations without prior notice where necessary for operational, legal, or programming purposes.

 

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For additional information, visit:


www.tinff.net

 

Contact:
tinffestival@gmail.com

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