Nigerian filmmaker and producer Todimu Adegoke has been selected to take part in the 2026 European Film Market Toolbox Programme, an international initiative that runs alongside the Berlin International Film Festival. The programme targets emerging and underrepresented producers, giving them direct exposure to the global film market and helping them build careers beyond their home regions.
Organisers describe the EFM Toolbox Programme as a highly selective, tailor-made training and networking scheme. It combines one-on-one mentorship with industry experts, market-focused workshops and structured access to buyers, financiers and potential collaborators from around the world.
The 2026 edition runs from November 2025 to February 2026, with a mix of online sessions and in-person activities in Berlin during the European Film Market. Participants are prepared ahead of the market through mentor meetings and virtual workshops on topics such as co-production, pitching, sales, distribution, legal basics and festival strategy.
Unlike open-application labs, the Toolbox Programme relies on nominations from partner organisations and industry leaders rather than direct applications. Adegoke was nominated by Joy Efe Odiete, chief executive of Blue Pictures Entertainment, a leading Nigerian film distributor and producer with more than 20 years of experience in African cinema.
Odiete has been instrumental in promoting African films to cinemas, streaming platforms and international partners, and in grooming new talent through initiatives such as the NextGen Films Initiative and the NextGen Mini Conference. These platforms offer emerging filmmakers training, mentorship and pitching opportunities that help them connect with investors and distributors.
With his selection, Adegoke joins a global cohort of producers positioned to deepen their engagement with the international film marketplace. The programme is expected to help him strengthen cross-border partnerships, refine his business and creative strategies and contribute to a more visible Nigerian and African presence in world cinema.
About the author
How family support helped me through scandals, grief – Davido
In an interview with Vibe Q, David Adeleke said his father, brothers and sisters have always been the first to reach out whenever something bad happens, staying by his side until he was okay. Davido recalled how his family rallied around him after the death of his son, saying they “stayed with me till I was fine” and that they understand the depth of the pain he went through. He added that even when he is too busy to call them, they always check in on him, stressing that “family should not be played with The singer noted that seeing his family happy when he performs reminds him of how far he has come from the period when he was “broken” after his child’s death. He credited this strong family support system with helping him stay strong throughout his career […]
Hamas agrees to disarm under Trump plan, but no word from Israel
The Palestinian Islamist movement says it accepts a ceasefire roadmap that includes handing over its weapons to a Palestinian governing committee and a staged Israeli pullout from Gaza, while Israel remains unconvinced the proposal meets its security demands. Hamas announced on Friday that it had agreed to a deal unveiled by President Trump, under which its weapons would be placed under the control of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a Palestinian body backed by Trump’s Board of Peace. The agreement is tied to a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces and the deployment of an International Stabilization Force alongside a new Palestinian police force to secure the territory. A senior Israeli political source told AFP that the draft did not “satisfactorily” address Israel’s demand for full demilitarisation of Gaza, insisting on the “complete disarmament of Hamas, including […]
Ban on sale of sachet alcoholic drinks remains – NAFDAC
NAFDAC says the crackdown on manufacturers and distributors of sachet alcohol has already begun, with arrests and seizures recorded across the South East zone. The NAFDAC Zonal Director, South East, Dr Festus Ukadike, disclosed this in an interview in Enugu, adding that the next phase is to mop up remaining sachet alcoholic products still in the market. He stressed that businesses would not be adversely affected because companies can still produce alcohol in bottles of 200ml and above. According to Ukadike, the health of children was a major factor behind the ban, as sachet alcohol has fueled unhealthy drinking habits among young children and contributed to antisocial behaviour and disease risks. He urged consumers to control their alcohol intake, saying public health considerations outweigh commercial interests and affordability concerns. NAFDAC expects that within 12 months, Nigeria will have a standard […]
World Cup must be kept out of private hands – Chelsea manager Alonso
Alonso backs UEFA’s opposition to FIFA’s plan to create a commercial subsidiary for the World Cup and allow private investors to acquire stakes, warning it could undermine the sport’s authenticity. Speaking in Sydney, where Chelsea are on a pre-season tour, the Spanish World Cup winner said: “I think that football has to be for the people, not in private hands.” He added that fans love the game because it is for everyone, and that some things about the World Cup should stay the same to preserve its emotions and passion. European football’s governing body UEFA has said it is ready to boycott the World Cup over the proposal, arguing the sport “cannot be dictated by the expectations of those whose first duty is to maximise financial return.” FIFA, however, has vowed to press ahead with an “open and democratic” consultation, […]
Resident doctors issue final deadline, threaten nationwide strike from Aug 10
NARD says it will commence a total and comprehensive industrial strike at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, August 10, if outstanding demands on salaries, allowances and working conditions are not met. The decision was contained in a communique issued at the end of the association’s July National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Gombe, signed by the NARD President, Dr Mohammad Suleiman, Secretary-General Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim and Publicity Secretary Dr Abdulmajid Ibrahim. While commending the government for disbursing the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), NARD expressed deep dissatisfaction with the slow pace of compliance on several other critical issues. Key demands include immediate payment of outstanding 25/35 per cent CONMESS upward review arrears, 19 months’ professional allowance arrears and promotion arrears owed to doctors in federal health institutions. The association also called for urgent resolution of house officers’ welfare challenges, including […]
NAHCON seeks phased implementation of Saudi Hajj reform
NAHCON says Saudi plans to move about 98 per cent of Nigeria’s Hajj quota to private operators cannot be implemented overnight without risking chaos in Nigeria’s pilgrimage administration. Chairman Ambassador Ismail Abba Yussuf disclosed the position after briefing government officials at the State House, Abuja, on reforms proposed by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. He explained that Nigeria’s Hajj has for decades been coordinated through NAHCON and State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, making a sudden switch to a predominantly private model both operationally and economically challenging. According to a statement by the Office of the Vice President, Yussuf said an immediate adoption could undermine existing government‑to‑government agreements with Saudi Arabia, disrupt established processes, weaken the statutory roles of state boards and hurt the affordability and accessibility of Hajj for ordinary Nigerians. He stressed that the commission is not […]
Related
How family support helped me through scandals, grief – Davido
In an interview with Vibe Q, David Adeleke said his father, brothers and sisters have always been the first to reach out whenever something bad happens, staying by his side until he was okay. Davido recalled how his family rallied around him after the death of his son, saying they “stayed with me till I was fine” and that they understand the depth of the pain he went through. He added that even when he is too busy to call them, they always check in on him, stressing that “family should not be played with The singer noted that seeing his family happy when he performs reminds him of how far he has come from the period when he was “broken” after his child’s death. He credited this strong family support system with helping him stay strong throughout his career […]
‘It was staged to test public reaction’ — GehGeh clarifies on viral wedding
Emmanuel Obruste, popularly known as GehGeh, has confirmed that the widely shared videos of his “wedding” were fake and staged as part of a promotion and social experiment. The videos, which showed GehGeh and a woman in matching burgundy traditional attire at what appeared to be a traditional wedding, quickly went viral on social media last weekend. The clips sparked backlash from fans and fellow influencers, who accused the relationship and finance commentator of contradicting his public stance on dating and marriage.lifestyle. In an interview on the BTC Podcast that aired on July 29, 2026, GehGeh explained that the event was deliberately staged to gauge public reaction and clear misunderstandings about his teachings. He said: “We organised everything as a normal promo. And so far, apart from the fact that we purposely did it, I still wanted to get the […]
Mayorkun reunites with Davido on new song B4 B4
Nigerian singer Mayorkun has teamed up again with Afrobeats star Davido on a new track titled “B4 B4,” ahead of its release on July 31.bellanaija+1 :Mayorkun announced the collaboration on his Instagram page, sharing a promotional photo of himself and Davido with the caption, “New Music! This Friday! ‘B4 B4’ #Oriade.” The song also features Fola and appears on Davido’s 13-track album Oriadé, which is scheduled for release on July 31, 2026. The reunion has generated excitement among fans because it marks another major link-up between the two artistes after previous collaborations that helped shape their careers in the Nigerian music scene. Davido’s tracklist also includes features from Black Sherif, Aya Nakamura, Leon Thomas, Llona, NO11, Jazzwrld and GL_Ceejay
BBNaija: ‘Step up your game’ — Sheba mocks Tram’s toasting skills
Big Brother Naija Season 11 housemate, Sheba, has told fellow housemate and admirer, Tram, to improve his toasting skills after he admitted he’d been trying to flirt with her since they entered the house During a late‑night conversation, Sheba showed Tram photos of her son, prompting him to ask if she had a child. On learning she is a single mother, Tram jokingly said, “I have been toasting someone’s mother?”dailypost+1 Sheba responded by teasing him about his weak flirting game, saying: “If that thing you’re doing is toasting, you need to step up your game.” She added that his moves had been so subtle, she didn’t even realise he had been trying to woo her since the show began.dailypost+1 The light‑hearted exchange has already started trending among fans, who see it as one of the early highlights of the “Show […]
US singer D4vd to stand trial in killing of teenage girl
American singer D4vd will stand trial on charges of killing and dismembering a 14-year-old girl, after a judge ruled there was enough evidence to proceed. The singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, is accused of murdering Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose body was discovered in the trunk of a Tesla registered in his name. Prosecutors say the teen threatened to expose their illegal sexual relationship, prompting the deadly attack.abc+3 At Monday’s hearing in Los Angeles, Judge Charlaine Olmedo ruled that prosecutors had presented sufficient incriminating evidence to send the case to trial. The ruling followed a five-day preliminary hearing in which investigators presented text messages, purchase records and other evidence they say links Burke to the crime. According to prosecutors, Hernandez was 13 when the relationship began and 14 when she was killed. They also allege that Burke purchased […]
Burna Boy, Madonna, Justin Bieber, others to perform at World Cup final halftime show tonight
Nigerian music star Burna Boy is set to perform alongside Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira and BTS at the first-ever FIFA World Cup final halftime show The historic 11-minute performance will take place at the New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19 and is being curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. According to FIFA, the show is part of a broader effort to promote education and football opportunities for children through the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. Burna Boy’s appearance marks another major international milestone for the Afrobeats star, who has continued to gain global recognition through major collaborations and festival performances. Other performers expected to feature in the show include Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, the PS22 Chorus from Staten Island and Coldplay. The event is expected to draw a massive global audience as football fans around the world tune […]