Ghana-Nigerian filmmaker, Shirley Frimpong-Manso tops TIFF lineup of global featured directors
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has unveiled its 2025 Industry Selects program, featuring 10 films from across the globe, with Ghanaian-Nigerian filmmaker Shirley Frimpong-Manso among the standout directors.
Her latest film, Stitches, distributed by Blue Pictures Entertainment, has been included in the prestigious lineup, marking another milestone for African cinema on the international stage. The program, unveiled ahead of TIFF’s 50th edition this September, is curated for accredited industry professionals, with a focus on audience-ready titles that demonstrate strong international sales and distribution potential.
This year’s selections span genres including drama, thriller, comedy, and documentary, showcasing both established filmmakers and rising talents. Alongside Frimpong-Manso’s Stitches, the lineup features A Survivor’s Tale by Micha Wald (Belgium/France), Dolph: Unbreakable by Andrew Holmes (Canada/USA/Sweden), Falling by James and Colin Krisel (UK), Find Your Friends by Izabel Pakzad (USA), Hana Korea by Frederik Sølberg (Denmark/Korea), Holy Days by Nathalie Boltt (New Zealand/Canada), Killing Castro by Eif Rivera (USA), On the End by Ari Selinger (USA), and Straight Circle by Oscar Hudson (UK).
Programmed by Liane Cunje, Industry Selects provides distributors, buyers, and sales agents with a focused slate of films primed for global circulation. The initiative also sets the stage for the launch of TIFF: The Market in 2026, which will expand the festival’s role as a central hub for international deal-making and collaboration.
For African filmmakers, the selection represents a strategic opportunity to secure wider distribution and strengthen global recognition. Frimpong-Manso’s inclusion underscores the rising influence of Nollywood and other African film industries, including Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa, which continue to attract international attention for their rapid growth and compelling storytelling.
TIFF officials noted that the Industry Selects lineup reflects the festival’s ongoing commitment to global diversity while highlighting films with strong commercial potential. For buyers, the curated list signals opportunities to acquire content that blends cultural richness with broad audience appeal.
Industry professionals accredited to the festival will access the lineup during TIFF’s Industry Conference in September, as the event continues to build momentum ahead of its 2026 expansion.
