Toronto Film Festival Announces 8 Feature Films for City to City Programme

The 41st Toronto International Film Festival® shines its spotlight on eight fearless features from the city of Lagos, Nigeria, for the eighth edition of the City to City programme. THE LINEUP showcases gutsy new works by contemporary directors living and working in one of the world's biggest film industries.

"Hundreds of films are made every year in Lagos for a voracious audience around the world. Our City to City spotlight brings some of Nollywood's most popular filmmakers together with new voices who are introducing an alternative, indie spirit to Nigerian cinema," said Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director of the Toronto International Film Festival. "We're excited to share this unprecedented showcase of talent from Lagos with our Toronto audience."

City to City showcases filmmakers living and working in a selected city, regardless of where their films are set. Cities featured in past programmes include London, Seoul, Athens, Mumbai, Buenos Aires, Istanbul and Tel Aviv.

"This year we've also added an international component to our TIFF Rising Stars programme, and here we will spotlight two up-andcoming actors from Lagos: OC Ukeje and Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama," added Bailey.

"Over the past six years the Rising Stars talent accelerator has blossomed, and it's timely for us to shine an even wider spotlight on acting talent by embracing international actors," said Kathleen Drumm, Director, Industry. "The Nigerian actors are a welcome addition and a natural evolution of what the programme aims to achieve."

The two Rising Stars will take part in a series of specialized programming, seminars, and workshops at the Festival, organized by TIFF's Industry team.

Actor, film producer, and singer Genevieve Nnaji and actor, film producer, and director Kunle Afolayan will also join audiences for a unique and intimate discussion as part of the Festival's In Conversation With... programme. The full lineup will be announced in the coming weeks.

The 41st Toronto International Film Festival runs from September 8 to 18, 2016.

Films screening as part of the City to City programme include:

76 Izu Ojukwu, Nigeria World Premiere In a story inspired by true events, six years after the civil war in Nigeria, a heavily pregnant woman's life crumbles when the news of her husband's involvement in a BOTCHED military coup hits the headlines. Starring Ramsey Nouah, Rita Dominic, Chidi Mokeme, Ibinabo Fiberesima, Larry Williams, Adonija Owiriwa, Daniel K. Daniel, Memry Savanhu, Pat Nebo, Debo Oguns, and Adams Shuaibu.

93 Days Steve Gukas, Nigeria World Premiere A riveting real-life thriller about courageous health-care workers in Lagos battling the EBOLA outbreak of 2014. Starring TIFF Rising Star Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama, Danny Glover, Bimbo Akintola, Tim Reid, Alastair Mackenzie, and Keppy Ekpenyong.

The Arbitration Niyi Akinmolayan, Nigeria International Premiere An arbitration must deal with the messy corporate entanglements of a workplace affair that led to a possible rape in the fast-paced world of the Nigerian technology space. Starring TIFF Rising Stars OC Ukeje and Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama, Adesua Etomi, Iretiola Doyle, and Sola Fosudo.

Green White Green Abba Makama, Nigeria World Premiere A coming of age story about three young boys, from Nigeria's major ethnic groups, on an adventure to make a short film inspired by the history of Nigeria. They embark on a roller coaster ride that will eventually lead them towards their individual paths to self-discovery.

Just Not Married Uduak-Obong Patrick, Nigeria International Premiere In this caper comedy thriller, a bright but broke undergrad striving to escape the slums gets in over his head when his modest criminal enterprise goes a bit too far when he and his friends resort to stealing cars under the guise of being married.

Okafor's Law Omoni Oboli, Nigeria World Premiere Chuks is a firm believer in Okafor's Law which states that once a man has had a woman, he forever has access to her. Challenged by his friends to prove the validity of the law in 21 days, past girlfriends Ify, Kemi and Ejiro are brought back into his life.

Oko Ashewo (Taxi Driver) Daniel Emeke Oriahi, Nigeria North American Premiere Adigun, a struggling village mechanic, accepts an invitation from Taiwo, his late father's best friend, to take over his father's now vacant position as a taxi driver alongside him. Adigun, now tackling life in the heart of Lagos, is completely oblivious of the wheels that his mere arrival has inextricably set in motion.

City to City Opening Night Film.

The Wedding Party Kemi Adetiba, Nigeria World Premiere Everyone knows that there ain't no party like a Nigerian wedding party... Especially when you throw in an insecure virgin bride, a reformed playboy groom, two overbearing mothers who can't stand each other, one philandering husband, a high strung wedding planner, the invasion of unruly village gate-crashers, a thief on the loose, a best man with a flash-drive full of secrets, a sexy ex with vengeance on her mind, two loyal bridesmaids ready to go to war, and a brother seeking his father's approval. It is a hilarious melting pot of potential disaster.

TIFF RISING STARS

OC Ukeje OC Ukeje is a Lagos-born actor, singer and performer. Winner of the 2006 Amstel Malta Box Office reality TV show for actors, he later trained at the New York Film Academy. He has won several Best Actor awards, including the AFRICA Magic Viewers' Choice Award, a Nigeria Entertainment Award, an AFRICA Movie Academy Award, and a Best of Nollywood Award. His films include Teco Benson's Two Brides and a Baby (2011); Jeta Amata's Black November (2012); Half of a Yellow Sun (2013), based on Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's bestselling novel; Destiny Ekaragha's Gone too Far! (2013); Kenneth Gyang's Confusion Na Wa (2013); Seyi Babatope's When Love Happens (2014); the television series Gidi Up; Remi Vaughan-Richards' The Department (2015); Sara Blecher's Ayanda (2015); and Niyi Akinmolayan's The Arbitration (2016), which plays at the Festival. Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama

Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama is an actor, model, and fashion executive based in Lagos. A graduate of McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, she made her onscreen debut in the television series The Island. Her first leading role was in the television series Gidi Up. Recent projects include Steve Gukas' 93 Days (2016), Niyi Akinmolayan's The Arbitration (2016), and Kemi Adetiba's The Wedding Party (2016), which will all screen at the Festival.

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