Nollywood Travel Film Festival
| Location | Toronto, Glasgow, Canada, Italy, Amsterdam |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2017 |
| Founded by | Mykel Parish |
| Awards | Nollywood Travel Film Festival Award |
| Language | International |
| Website | nollywoodtravelfestival |
Nollywood Travel Film Festival (NTFF) is an international film festival dedicated to showcasing Nigerian cinema, also known as Nollywood, to global audiences. Founded in 2017 in Toronto, Canada, the festival screens works by Nigerian filmmakers based both in Nigeria and abroad. It was established by filmmaker and director Mykel Parish, who continues to oversee its operations.[1]
The NTFF hosts film screenings, panel discussions, workshops, networking events, and award ceremonies across various international venues, aiming to promote the cultural and creative breadth of Nollywood. Past recipients of this award include actors, such as Omotola Jalade (2017), Richard Mofe-Damijo (2018), Uche Treasure (2024).
History
The Nollywood Travel Film Festival was founded in 2017 by Mykel Parish,[2][3] it was established to broaden the global visibility of Nigerian cinema by presenting films in various international cities and encouraging collaboration between Nigerian and international filmmakers. The inaugural edition was held in September 2017 in Toronto, Canada,[1] marking the festival’s introduction as a platform for showcasing Nollywood's distinct storytelling and cinematic approach.[4][5]
Since its inception, the festival has taken place in cities such as Atlanta, Hamburg, Berlin, Glasgow,[6][7] Helsinki, Paris, Oslo, Amsterdam,[8] Lima, Italy, and Athens. [9][10][11] It has developed into a notable venue for both independent and collaborative filmmakers aiming to reach international audiences. In 2018, Nigerian actor and model Chris Okagbue served as the official Festival Ambassador, reflecting the festival’s commitment to involving well-known Nollywood personalities in its promotional efforts.[12]
Notable film premieres
Films that have been featured or premiered at the Nollywood Travel Film Festival (NTFF) include Kada River,[13] Alter Ego, Dear Affy, Isoken, The Women, We Don’t Live Here Anymore, Collision Course, Citation (film), Eagle Wings , 10 Days in Sun City, Catch.er, Lotanna, Lost in London, Excess Luggage, Esohe, Mansoor, Oloibiri, Unveil, Slow Country, and Lockdown.[14][15][16] Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde received the Best Actress award for her role in Alter Ego, while Richard Mofe-Damijo was recognized with an award for Most Outstanding Individual in Nollywood.[17][12][18] In 2024, teen actress Uchechi Treasure received the NTFF Best Teen Actress Award. The festival has held editions in various locations, including Atlanta in 2019 organized in collaboration with the African Motion Film Festival Scotland—and Athens in 2022, which was themed “Experience Nollywood.”[19]
Events and activities
The NTFF is known for its diverse programming, which typically spans a weekend and includes:[20]
- Film Screenings: Indoor and outdoor screenings of Nollywood films, ranging from feature films to shorts, showcasing both established and emerging filmmakers.
- Panel Discussions: Conversations on filmmaking, industry trends, and the global impact of Nollywood, often featuring prominent directors, actors, and producers.
- Workshops: Educational sessions for aspiring filmmakers to learn about production techniques, distribution, and global market strategies.
- Networking Events: Opportunities for filmmakers to connect with industry professionals and potential investors.
- Awards Ceremonies: Recognition of outstanding films, directors, and actors, with categories celebrating creativity and cultural impact.
- Cultural Events: Red carpet premieres, galas, and afterparties that highlight Nigerian culture and foster community engagement.
Awards
2017 Nollywood Travel Film Festival Awards
| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Actress | Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde from the film Alter Ego |
2018 Nollywood Travel Film Festival Awards
| Award | Winner |
| Most Outstanding Individual | Richard Mofe-Damijo |
| Best Screenplay | Ike Nnaebue |
| Best Music Score | Michael Truth Ogunlade from the film The Encounter |
| Best Cinematographer | Adekunle Nodash from the film The Encounter |
| Best Nollywood Film in Diaspora | A little too late |
| Best Producer | Neville Sajere from the film A little too late |
| Best Actress | Queen Nwokoye |
| Best Actor | Kalu Ikeagwu |
| Best Director | Niyi Akinmolayan from the film The Wedding Party 2 |
| Best Nigerian Film | The Wedding Party 2 |
2024 Nollywood Travel Film Festival Awards
| Award | Winner |
| Best Teen Actress | Uchechi Treasure Okonkwo (Nigeria) |
Chronology of NTFF
| Edition | Year | Venue | Competitive |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 12th – 16th September 2017 | Toronto, Canada[21] | Yes |
| 2nd | 9th – 13th May 2018 | Hamburg, Germany[22] | Yes |
| 3rd | October 2018 | University of Toronto | Yes |
| 4th | February 23rd, 2020 | Glasgow[23] | Yes |
| 5th | 5th – 7th October 2023 | Amsterdam, Netherlands[8] | Yes |
| 6th | 14th –17th January 2024 | Milan, Italy[24] | Yes |
| 7th | 15th – 19th May 2024 | Athens, Greece[2] | Yes |
References
- ^ a b Olagunju, David (2017-01-14). "Nollywood Travel Festival makes debut with Toronto Showcase". Tribune Online. Retrieved 2025-04-24.
- ^ a b Nigeria, Guardian (2023-02-25). "Again, Nollywood Travel Film Festival goes to Greece". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
- ^ Nigeria, Guardian (2022-10-08). "After Ireland, Mykel Parish Takes Nollywood Travel Festival To Amsterdam, Berlin". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
- ^ Julia (2018-05-04). "Nollywood Travel Film Festival | Chapeau - Das Magazin für kultivierte Lebensart". Chapeau (in German). Retrieved 2025-04-23.
- ^ Content-man (2018-08-15). "New York, Toronto, to host 2018 Nollywood Travel Film Festival". NewsDiaryOnline. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
- ^ Dayo, Bernard (October 3, 2018). "The future is female: the Nollywood Travel Film Festival to spotlight female directors at Glasgow". YNaija.
- ^ vanguard (2018-09-25). "Nollywood Travel Film Festival to spotlight female directors at Glasgow edition". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
- ^ a b Reporter, Z. A. M. (2023-09-21). "05.10 – 7.10.23, Amsterdam | The Nollywood Travel Film Festival". ZAM. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
- ^ David (2024-04-15). "Nollywood travel film festival to storm Italy". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
- ^ Byrne, Pat (2018-11-01). "Nollywood Travel Film Festival, Glasgow - Glasgow West End". Glasgow West End. Archived from the original on 2025-02-07. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
- ^ "Nollywood Travel Film Festival, Athens 2022 – ANASA Cultural Center". www.anasa.org.gr (in Greek). Archived from the original on 2024-12-04. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
- ^ a b "Actor, RMD Wins Most outstanding Individual in Nollywood Travel Film Festival". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
- ^ Efeturi (2017-08-07). "Toka McBaror's 'Kada River' Makes Opening Film at the Nollywood Travel Festival". XploreNollywood. Retrieved 2025-04-24.
- ^ Stories, True Nollywood (2017-07-02). "First ever Nollywood travel festival to hold during TIFF 2017". Retrieved 2025-04-24.
- ^ BellaNaija.com (2022-05-25). ""Collision Course", "Eagle Wings" & "Citation" Will Be Opening The Nollywood Travel Film Festival". BellaNaija. Retrieved 2025-04-24.
- ^ "Alter Ego, Kada River… Movies to be screened at Nollywood Travel Film Festival". TheCable Lifestyle. 2017-08-31. Retrieved 2025-04-24.
- ^ Nigeria, Guardian (2017-09-18). "Omotola Jalade, wins best actress award at Nollywood Travel Film Festival". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2025-04-24.
- ^ "Omotola wins Best actress Nollywood Travel Film Festival". The News Nigeria. September 18, 2017.
- ^ Lawrence, Koko (2022-04-20). "Athens To Host Nollywood Travel Film Festival | LN247". Retrieved 2025-04-23.
- ^ "New York, Toronto to host 2018 Nollywood Travel Film Festival". Retrieved 2025-04-24.
- ^ Nation, The (2017-06-28). "Nollywood Travel Festival to hold during TIFF 2017". The Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 2025-04-24.
- ^ Grace, Ihesiulo (2017-12-15). "Nollywood Travel Film Festival pays courtesy visit to the German and Canadian consulates". DAILY TIMES Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-04-24.
- ^ Spur, Brand (2020-01-29). "Nollywood Travel Film Festival Set To Showcase Dear Affy In Glasgow, UK - Brand Spur". Retrieved 2025-04-24.
- ^ III, Admin (2024-04-18). "Nollywood takes Italy by storm as film festival heads to Milan, Torino, Rome, Florence". Blueprint Newspapers Limited. Retrieved 2025-04-24.