A singular invitation landed, setting two Nigerian filmmakers on a global trajectory before the torrent of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
This isn’t merely an attendance; it’s a strategic placement at TIFF: The Market, a brand-new, high-stakes initiative designed to be a crucible for international film financing and collaboration. For Ajogwu and Adegbulu, this moment signifies not just personal advancement, but a sharpened lens on how Nigerian stories are poised to reshape the global cinematic landscape.
Jumafor Ajogwu and Yemi Adegbulu Nigeria’s new global market
The BFI’s backing, through its National Lottery International Connections Fund, has propelled these two, alongside Farah Abushwesha, Emma Grazette, Nadine Marsh-Edwards, and Chi Thai, into the heart of one of cinema’s most significant annual gatherings. From September 10–16, 2026, TIFF: The Market will transform Toronto into a bustling hub where deals are struck, partnerships forged, and the future of film is actively negotiated.
This marks a pivotal expansion for TIFF, which, for the first time, hosts a formal market backed by a landmark $23 million CAD investment from the Government of Canada. It’s an explicit move to centralise the often-fragmented world of international film production, creating a clear channel for producers like Ajogwu and Adegbulu to find capital, collaborators, and crucial distribution networks.
Each delegate arrives with at least one UK/Canadian feature film project in active development, their bags packed not just with scripts, but with years of experience honed in diverse cinematic traditions. Their presence underlines a concerted effort by the BFI’s International Fund and Inclusion teams to cultivate co-productions and democratise access at prestigious international festivals, challenging traditional gatekeeping in the industry.
Jumafor Ajogwu: Weaving British and African Narratives
Jumafor Ajogwu’s journey to Toronto is built on a foundational belief in the power of stories that transcend borders. Through Bold Pictures, he has consistently championed narratives that connect British, African, and diaspora audiences, seeking common ground in shared human experiences.
His impressive filmography already reflects this ambition, with credits including Lionheart, Nigeria’s first Netflix Original, and The Milkmaid, Nigeria’s official Academy Awards submission in 2020. He also served as production manager on My Father’s Shadow, which premiered in the prestigious Un Certain Regard section at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.
These credits paint a picture of a producer deeply invested in elevating Nigerian cinema on the world stage.
The Ambition Behind Sleepless
In Toronto, Ajogwu’s primary focus will be Sleepless, a UK-Nigerian supernatural thriller poised to be a significant co-production. This project has already garnered substantial momentum, having been selected for Screen Yorkshire’s Local Landscapes, Global Horizons programme, which receives BFI support.
The talent attached to Sleepless signals its potential: it’s penned by Olivier Award-winning playwright Bola Agbaje and helmed by Sundance Special Jury Prize winner CJ “Fiery” Obasi. The narrative is already structured as an international co-production with confirmed partners in Nigeria, South Africa, and Ireland, targeting a February 2027 shoot.
Ajogwu’s mission at TIFF is to solidify Canadian co-production partnerships, secure further international financing, and ensure robust distribution, cementing long-term relationships across the North American film industry. This project, like many others seeking global reach, reflects a creative ambition that often requires confronting complex challenges head-on.
Yemi Adegbulu: A Portfolio of Diverse Storytelling
Yemi Adegbulu, the British-Nigerian co-founder of Sleepwalker Studios, arrives in Toronto with a diverse and compelling portfolio, reflecting her keen eye for distinct narratives across various formats. Her experience spans scripted features, documentaries, and short films, showcasing a versatility that is increasingly vital in the evolving global film market.
Her role as an Associate Producer on Dreamers, a collaboration between BBC Films and Quiddity Films, highlights her capacity for working on projects with significant institutional backing. Adegbulu currently serves as an associate producer for the feature film Everybody Wants to Fck Me, a major production involving Studiocanal, Film4, LuckyChap, and Parkville Pictures.
Such high-profile engagements underscore her ability to navigate complex production landscapes and contribute to films that resonate with both industry and audiences.
Mother Me and Beyond
Beyond these larger productions, Adegbulu is also actively producing Mother Me, a BFI NETWORK supported short film currently in post-production through Sleepwalker Studios. This project exemplifies her commitment to nurturing stories from development to completion, often delving into themes that resonate deeply with contemporary audiences.
Her work at Sleepwalker Studios, which she co-founded, aims to push cinematic boundaries and bring fresh perspectives to the screen. Adegbulu’s presence at TIFF is a crucial step in expanding the reach of Sleepwalker Studios and forging connections that can propel these projects, including those with emerging identities, onto an even wider international platform.
Connecting Continents: The Ontario-UK Day and Beyond
The TIFF Market schedule includes a bespoke Ontario-UK day of activity, orchestrated by Canadian partners Ontario Creates. This specific focus day is designed to foster deeper connections between UK and Canadian producers, with the BFI delegation at its core.
It will feature presentations from key funding and industry bodies, including Ontario Creates itself, the Black Screen Office, and the Indigenous Screen Office, providing crucial insights into the Canadian market.
Denitsa Yordanova, the BFI’s Director of UK Global Screen Fund & International Funds, will offer guidance on co-producing with the UK. The day also includes a panel discussion on distribution within the Canadian market, a networking lunch, and curated one-to-one meetings.
These structured interactions are invaluable for producers like Ajogwu and Adegbulu, offering direct access to potential partners and financiers who can accelerate their projects. The BFI’s presence at TIFF also includes a ScreenUK Industry stand and a UK sales office, demonstrating a comprehensive push for British and diaspora talent.
Advancing Accessibility and the Future of Film
Beyond the immediate commercial objectives, TIFF: The Market also provides a platform for crucial industry discussions.
The BFI Inclusion team, in partnership with Collective Moxie and Prasanna Ranganathan, is presenting a significant panel: “The Stories We Tell: Advancing Accessibility Through Inclusive Storytelling.” Set for Sunday, September 13, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, this discussion moves past technical standards to examine the cultural and attitudinal shifts needed for genuine disability inclusion in film.
The panel features a lineup of impactful voices, including athlete and activist Rick Hansen, BAFTA-nominated actor Ruth Madeley, filmmaker Matthew Kowalchuk, producer and DEI consultant Prasanna Ranganathan, Collective Moxie Founder and CEO Julie Ann Crommett, and BFI Inclusion Partners Tahliah Simumba and Melissa Allada.
This focus on inclusive storytelling aligns with the broader mission of the BFI’s delegation, reflecting a commitment to not just economic growth but also social responsibility within the film industry. Such initiatives continue to shape cultural narratives across various mediums.
The Unfolding Canvas of Nigerian Cinema
The presence of Jumafor Ajogwu and Yemi Adegbulu at TIFF: The Market is more than a personal milestone; it’s a tangible representation of Nigerian and British-Nigerian creative ambition on a global stage. Their selection, and the BFI’s strategic support, highlights a growing recognition of the rich storytelling potential emerging from Africa and its diaspora.
As they navigate the networking lunches and one-to-one meetings, pitching Sleepless and other projects, Ajogwu and Adegbulu carry with them the weight and promise of an evolving industry. The connections they forge, the financing they secure, and the collaborations they initiate will undoubtedly contribute to the ongoing narrative of how Nigerian cinema continues to carve out its distinctive and influential place in the world.
