Nollywood Thriller The Specialists Selected for Canadian Film Festival With Seven Nominations

Seven Nominations Before Anyone Has Seen It

AFRIGOS Films’ forthcoming feature “The Specialists” has been officially selected for the International Black and Diversity Film Festival (IBDFF) 2026 in Ontario, Canada. The Nollywood political thriller picked up seven award nominations ahead of its global release, a rare feat for an unreleased African film.

Directed and produced by Paulgold Olalekan Joseph, the film is a political crime thriller that deals with power, corruption, loyalty, and the human cost of control within a high-stakes system. The screenplay was written by Emil Garuba, whose previous credits include Lionheart, Nigeria’s first Netflix Original film, and 4th Republic, which was funded by the MacArthur Foundation. Garuba co-wrote The Specialists with his brother, Echobu Michael Garuba.

A Cast of Familiar Faces

The film features Sam Dede, Mbasiti Jesse, Bimbo Akintola, Alhassan Abraham, Francis Duru, Baaj Adebule, Preach Bassey, Mariah Ugbashi, Aondofa Saaka, and Chibuzor Okechukwu. Shot using advanced cinema technology, the production went through cross-continental post-production spanning Nigeria, Turkey, and the United States.

AFRIGOS Films produced the project in collaboration with Canada-based El-Sueno Films Inc. The partnership reflects a deliberate push to bridge African storytelling with international production standards.

Festival Recognition and What Comes Next

The IBDFF, part of the TINFF ecosystem and supported by Telefilm Canada, serves as a gateway into international distribution channels. Seven nominations at this stage is unusual and signals that the film is being taken seriously by programmers who have actually watched it.

Paulgold Olalekan Joseph said the film was made “to tell a powerful African story that resonates globally, both in its themes and its execution.” AFRIGOS Films is now in active discussions for international distribution, sales representation, and strategic partnerships across theatrical, streaming, and television platforms.

No release date has been set yet, but the festival momentum suggests this one will get a proper rollout when it arrives.

Sources: P.M. News, The Bridge News, Nigerian Current