Award-winning Nigerian filmmaker and Hadassah Productions founder Doris Ariole has earned another Best Director International nomination at the Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF) in Canada, further cementing her growing reputation on the global film festival circuit.
The latest recognition comes a year after Ariole made history at the festival and follows an impressive showing for her two recent productions, Not Letting Us Go and Unboxing Love, which secured a combined 16 nominations across multiple categories.
The achievement adds to a decade-long record of international recognition for the filmmaker, whose works have consistently been selected and nominated at film festivals across North America since 2016.
Speaking recently on her latest milestone, Ariole said the recognition reflects her commitment to producing faith-inspired films that meet global technical and storytelling standards.
Rather than describing her productions as conventional Christian films, she refers to them as “Kingdom stories,” explaining that they focus on universal themes of hope, healing, love and grace that resonate with audiences regardless of their faith.
“For a long time, faith-based films were perceived as technically mediocre. We are changing that narrative. Our goal has always been to produce films that can compete at the highest international level,” she said.
Ariole’s latest productions were developed through a cross-continental collaboration with American filmmaker and Kaemedia Networks founder Kady Edwards-Campbell. Together, they have built a creative partnership that blends Nollywood’s storytelling strengths with Hollywood-standard production values, positioning faith-based cinema for mainstream global audiences.
Known for drawing emotionally compelling performances from her actors while maintaining strong spiritual themes without being preachy, Ariole has continued to distinguish herself as one of Africa’s leading faith-based filmmakers.
The Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival will hold from September 4 to September 12 in Canada, with the awards ceremony taking place on the closing day.
Ariole will be hoping to add another international directing honour to her growing list of accolades as her films continue to gain recognition beyond Nigeria’s borders.
