By Efe Onodjae 

Award-winning Nollywood filmmaker and screenwriter Doris Ariole has recorded another major milestone on the international film festival circuit, with two of her latest productions securing a combined 16 nominations at the forthcoming Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF) in Canada.

Ariole’s Hadassah Productions, in collaboration with American production company Kaemedia Network, earned the nominations through two feature films, Not Letting Us Go, which received six nominations, including Best Faith-Based Film, and Unboxing Love, which garnered 10 nominations ahead of its world premiere at the festival.

The festival, regarded as a Canadian award-qualifying event with a highly competitive selection process, is scheduled to hold from September 4 to September 12, with the awards ceremony taking place on the closing day.

Speaking on the achievement, Ariole described the recognition as another affirmation that faith-based films can compete successfully on the global stage.

“We submitted two films, Not Letting Us Go and Unboxing Love. Not Letting Us Go is already on YouTube and has been receiving a lot of engagement, while Unboxing Love will have its world premiere at the festival before its eventual release on our YouTube channel,” she said.

Ariole, popularly known in the creative industry as “The Storyteller,” said her productions are better described as “Kingdom stories” rather than conventional Christian films because they focus on universal human experiences.

“These are stories that anyone can relate to, regardless of their faith. We promote the principles and values of God’s Kingdom through stories that offer hope, healing and comfort. We don’t create films that judge or condemn people of other faiths. Our focus is on God’s love and grace for everyone,” she said.

According to the filmmaker, Hadassah Productions has deliberately set out to redefine faith-based cinema by combining inspiring storytelling with world-class production standards.

“For a long time, faith-based films were perceived as mediocre in production quality. We are changing that narrative. Our goal is to produce films that are technically good enough for platforms like global platform streaming. That has always been our benchmark,” she added.

Ariole, who also received a nomination for Best Director (International), a category she won at last year’s edition of the festival, said excellence remains central to her creative vision.

“Telling Kingdom stories that resonate globally with an ever-evolving audience takes a detailed process that hinges on excellence,” she said.

Reflecting on her growing international profile, Ariole noted that the latest recognition is part of a consistent run of festival selections spanning nearly a decade.

“For the past 10 years, I have consistently received selections and nominations. Since 2016, my films have been selected at international festivals across North America. Even in Nigeria, I have received nominations from organisations such as the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA). Our focus has always been on gaining international visibility for our work,” she said.

She also dismissed suggestions that she was the only Nigerian filmmaker recognised by TINFF.

“I’m not the only Nigerian selected. There are others. What distinguishes our work is the way we tell faith-based stories without being preachy or condemning. We present hope through compelling storytelling that resonates with audiences everywhere,” she said.

The screening schedule for both films is yet to be announced, but Ariole expressed confidence that the productions would leave a lasting impression on audiences and judges.

For more than a decade, Ariole has built a reputation for producing thought-provoking, faith-inspired films that combine compelling storytelling with high production values. Her latest success, achieved through a collaboration with American filmmaker and Kaemedia Network founder Kady Edwards-Campbell, further strengthens her growing reputation on the global film festival circuit.