Nigerian stunt director and actor, David “Mr Nollywood” Patrick, has received international recognition for his work on The Spectacular Death of Prisca, directed by Kaelo Iyizoba.

The film received an Honourable Mention for Best International Short Film at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Canada, with the jury describing it as “a delightful mashup of action and comedy” and praising its “remarkable precision in performance.”

David coordinated the film’s stunt sequences, contributing to the action and performance elements highlighted by the jury.

The recognition adds to the growing international profile of Nigerian filmmakers and technical professionals working behind the camera.

David, who has been active in the entertainment industry since 2002, has worked on more than 485 film, television and digital productions across platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, DStv, YouTube and cinema releases.

He has also received more than 60 industry nominations and won the inaugural Best Stunt Actor and Director award at the BAC Awards. He was also the first stunt director featured on ForbesBLK for his contributions to African entertainment.

“This recognition is an encouragement to everyone working behind the scenes to raise the standard of African cinema. Stunt coordination requires planning, precision and safety, and it is rewarding to see that work recognised internationally,” David said.

A native of Agbor, Delta State, David is from the royal Uboh family of Agbor. He is the founder and CEO of Mr Nollywood Ltd, which provides services spanning corporate project management, security, stunt safety and film and television production.

David said the recognition also underscored the need for greater attention to specialised technical roles in Nigeria’s film industry.

“Stunt work is much more than performing dangerous actions. It involves choreography, technical preparation, risk management and teamwork. Developing these areas will help our productions meet international standards,” he said.

The Spectacular Death of Prisca’s recognition at TIFF 2026 places further international attention on Nigerian creative and technical talent and the country’s expanding contribution to global cinema.