FilmOne Entertainment, one of Nigeria’s leading film production and distribution companies, has been selected as one of only six African buyers for the inaugural edition of TIFF: The Market, a new global film industry marketplace launched by the Toronto International Film Festival.
The selection places FilmOne at the centre of a new platform designed to connect film buyers, sellers, producers and other industry players from around the world. The first edition of TIFF: The Market ran from September 10 to 16, 2026, alongside the 51st Toronto International Film Festival. More than 130 buyers from 49 countries were confirmed for the inaugural market.
FilmOne was the only Nigerian company selected among the six African buyers. The other five are Filmfinity, Forefront Media Group, Sun Africa Group and Digicine from South Africa, alongside Tunisia’s Hakka Distribution. The African selection gives representation to three of the continent’s major film markets while highlighting the growing role of African distributors in international film commerce.
For FilmOne, participation provides an opportunity to strengthen its relationships with international studios, distributors and content owners. The company said its presence in Toronto was focused on buying, building relationships and creating wider opportunities for African cinema.
The market is particularly significant for Nollywood, which has developed into one of Africa’s most prominent film industries. Nigerian productions have increasingly attracted audiences beyond the country, while streaming platforms and international distributors have created new routes for African films to reach global viewers.
FilmOne has played a major role in this ecosystem through film production, theatrical distribution and licensing. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Lagos, the company has worked across Nigerian and international film distribution and operates alongside the wider Filmhouse entertainment ecosystem. Its involvement in major Nigerian releases has helped strengthen the commercial infrastructure supporting Nollywood.
TIFF: The Market also represents a broader shift in how the Toronto festival engages with the global film business. The new marketplace was created as a dedicated space for acquisitions and industry deals, giving companies opportunities to negotiate distribution arrangements and discover content for different territories.
The market received significant public backing in Canada, with the Canadian government committing CAD $23 million to support its development. Its inaugural edition brought together buyers from multiple regions, creating a setting where companies such as FilmOne could connect African content with international business networks.
FilmOne’s participation could therefore have implications beyond individual acquisitions. As Nigeria’s sole representative in the African buyer cohort, the company is positioned to promote Nollywood content while also identifying international films that could be distributed to audiences across West Africa.
The development reflects the increasingly international nature of African cinema. For Nigerian filmmakers and distributors, access to global markets can create opportunities for licensing, partnerships, financing and wider audience reach.
By joining TIFF: The Market at its launch, FilmOne is participating in a new international marketplace while representing Nigeria within a select group of African film businesses seeking to expand the continent’s presence in global cinema.
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