Afrigos Films’ The Specialists earns Canadian festival selection, multiple nominations ahead of global release
Afrigos Films has announced that its forthcoming feature film, The Specialists, has been officially selected for the 2026 International Black & Diversity Film Festival (IBDFF) in Ontario, Canada, where it has also secured seven award nominations ahead of its global release.
The early international recognition places the yet-to-be-released film among notable African productions gaining traction in the global market, with industry observers highlighting its scale, storytelling depth and technical execution.
Directed and produced by Paulgold Olalekan Joseph, The Specialists is a political crime thriller that examines themes of power, loyalty, corruption and the human cost of control within a high-stakes system. The film was written by Emil Garuba—known for works such as Lionheart, 4th Republic and Road to Yesterday—in collaboration with Echobu Michael Garuba. Together, they present a layered narrative driven by political insight and cinematic tension.
The film features a cast that includes Sam Dede, Bimbo Akintola, Francis Duru, Baaj Adebule, alongside Mbasiti Jesse, Alhassan Abraham, Preach Bassey, Mariah Ugbashi, Aondofa Saaka and Chibuzor Okechukwu.
Produced by Afrigos Films in collaboration with Canada-based El-Sueno Films Inc., the project reflects efforts to align African storytelling with global production standards. The film was shot using advanced cinema technology, with post-production carried out across Nigeria, Turkey and the United States.
The International Black & Diversity Film Festival, part of the Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival ecosystem and supported by Telefilm Canada, provides a platform for filmmakers to access international distribution channels and global audiences. The seven nominations earned by The Specialists span multiple creative and technical categories, further boosting its industry profile.
Speaking on the development, Joseph said the film was conceived to resonate beyond Africa.
“The Specialists was created with a clear vision — to tell a powerful African story that resonates globally, both in its themes and its execution. This recognition in Canada is a strong validation of that vision, and we are excited about the opportunities ahead,” he said.
With growing festival momentum, the film is currently in discussions for international distribution, sales representation and strategic partnerships across cinema, streaming and television platforms.
The milestone also underscores Afrigos Films’ ambition to position itself as a major player in the global creative industry, with a focus on producing commercially viable and internationally competitive content from Africa.
