By Chidinma Nwobodo
The Warri International Film Festival, WARRIFF, is gathering momentum as organisers have unveiled the nominations list and Jury for the 2026 edition.
Tosin Oludare’s ‘Dead Tide’ leads the pack with 13 nominations, including Best Feature Film, Best Director and Best Screenplay. It is closely followed by Eric Stephenson’s ‘Follow Me Forever’ and “The Source”, which secured 12 nominations each.
Ghanaian film, ‘Captain Ibrahim Traore’ secured 11 nominations, while Jeremiah Onoge’s ‘Isodehi’ bagged 8 nominations.
The organisers also unveiled the Jury headed by veteran filmmaker, Amayo Uzo Philips. Other members of the Jury are Prof. Tony Adah, Joe Dudun, Theophilus Akatugba and Adenike Ayodele.
The festival, themed “Making The Film And Making The Money,” will hold in Warri, Delta State, from December 8 to December 12, 2026.
The 2026 edition officially opened its film collection window from February 1 to August 3, 2026 with filmmakers from Nigeria, Africa and across the world submitting bold, original and powerful works.
According to the founder of WARRIFF, Alex Eyengho, WARRIFF is more than a festival; it is a meeting point for voices, visions and stories that matter.
“From compelling feature films to daring shorts, documentaries, experimental works, engaging master classes, panels and networking. We celebrate cinema that reflects culture, challenges norms, and sparks meaningful conversations,” he said.
