Six film companies from Nigeria, South Africa, and Tunisia have been chosen as buyers for the inaugural edition of TIFF: The Market, a new seven-day initiative of the Toronto International Film Festival. This event aims to enhance creative and commercial aspirations within the screen sector and is scheduled for September 10-16, 2026.
Representing Nigeria, FilmOne Entertainment stands out as a leading independent film production and distribution company based in Lagos. The firm is well-known for its local box-office hits such as The Wedding Party (2016) and Behind the Scenes (2025), as well as for managing the theatrical distribution of prominent Hollywood films in the region.
South Africa boasts four of the six selected African companies: Filmfinity, Sun Africa Group, Forefront Media Group, and Digicine. Filmfinity is regarded as one of Southern Africa’s foremost distribution firms, celebrated for its work on productions such as Keeping Up with the Kandasamys (2017) and Mr Bones 3: Son of Bones (2022). They also partner exclusively with major studios like Sony Pictures Entertainment and The Walt Disney Company.
Sun Africa Group, a Johannesburg-based distribution company and part of Telefilms Group, has recently forged a strategic partnership with StudioCanal. Forefront Media Group, another Johannesburg enterprise, is recognised for distributing acclaimed international films such as Rust and Bone (2012) and Still Alice (2014). Additionally, Digicine Motion Pictures/Studios operates at the nexus of cinema, digital distribution, artificial intelligence-driven content creation, and innovative technology.
Representing North Africa, Tunisia’s Hakka Distribution specialises in independent commercial cinemas and alternative screening networks. Its portfolio includes significant regional and international films, such as Beauty and the Dogs (2017), which premiered at Cannes, Noura’s Dream (2019), and the Academy Awards-nominated The Man Who Sold His Skin (2020).
TIFF: The Market 2026 is set to offer curated access and targeted matchmaking, along with innovations across various formats. It will attract a diverse audience, bringing together buyers, sellers, creators, and producers from the global screen industry.
The six African companies will join over 130 buyers from 49 countries participating in this inaugural event. With a strong representation from Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, North America, and Africa, TIFF: The Market is poised to establish itself as a vital global marketplace for cross-border collaborations, creative and cultural exchanges, and business opportunities.
