NASSAU, THE BAHAMAS — Bahamian short film Visa Blue, written and directed by filmmaker and creative entrepreneur Nathan McPhee, has been nominated for Best Film (Caribbean & International) at the 10th Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF), taking place September 4–12, 2026, in Toronto and Brampton, Canada.
An official Canadian Screen Awards-qualifying festival, TINFF brings together filmmakers from Canada, Africa, the Caribbean and international markets through screenings, industry programming and networking opportunities. This year’s festival also overlaps with the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), taking place September 10–20, placing Visa Blue in Toronto during one of the city’s most internationally visible periods for film.
Visa Blue will screen on September 8 at 12:30 p.m. at the Palmerston Library Theatre, 560 Palmerston Avenue, Toronto.
Produced in The Bahamas, Visa Blue follows JR, a young Bahamian navigating his ambitions for a life beyond what is familiar and the limiting expectations of his father, James. The film stars Ajai Culmer as JR alongside prominent Bahamian actor Hartman Brown as James. Culmer is also known as a member of the popular Side Quest Crew, while Brown has established a presence across Bahamian film and television, including an appearance in Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Destination Wedding.
Filmed and produced with an all-Bahamian cast and crew, Visa Blue reflects culturally accurate dialogue and performances, using visual symbolism and tension to explore the complexities of a relationship between father and son. The TINFF nomination represents another step in Konu Studios’ continued effort to develop Bahamian stories and expand their reach to international audiences, while affirming the industry’s growing appetite for films from The Bahamas with global appeal.
The nomination also comes as Konu Studios continues to expand its work across film, music, branded entertainment and distribution. The Bahamian creative studio has developed projects and collaborations spanning tourism, sports, hospitality, music and culture, working with brands and organizations including adidas, Baha Mar, The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, The Office of The Prime Minister, alongside athletes and creatives including Jazz Chisholm Jr., Kai Jones, Chef Tevin Kemp, OVADOSE, Tanicia Pratt, Agajuan.
Its growing slate includes work with Bahamian recording artist Agajuan, including music video projects connected to his Village Van Gogh body of work, alongside original film, documentary and entertainment concepts highlighting Bahamian talent and culture.
Konu has also expanded its distribution capabilities through a partnership with Vydia, part of gamma., the media and technology company founded by music executive Larry Jackson. Through Vydia’s global distribution infrastructure, Konu is positioned to distribute music and video content across more than 200 digital platforms and destinations, providing Bahamian and Caribbean creatives with greater access to international audiences, rights management and monetization opportunities. The partnership represents an important step in Konu’s growth beyond production, strengthening its ability to support projects from development and creation through to distribution while building a more direct pathway between locally produced content and the global entertainment market.
Together, projects such as Visa Blue and Konu’s wider creative partnerships reflect the studio’s broader objective: to build globally competitive work from The Bahamas while creating greater opportunities for Bahamian stories, artists and creative talent to travel internationally.
Konu Studios is a Bahamian creative agency and production studio specializing in film production, branded content, distribution, marketing and brand management. Through original productions, strategic partnerships and a network of more than 300 creatives, Konu develops culturally relevant work while creating opportunities for Bahamian and Caribbean storytellers.
The studio has worked across entertainment, tourism, lusxurym sports, hospitality and culture with brands and organizations including adidas, Baha Mar, The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Forbes Global Properties. Through strategic international partnerships and distribution alliances, Konu also provides access to global digital distribution infrastructure for music and video content.
The Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF) is one of Canada’s leading multicultural film festivals connecting Canadian, African, Caribbean and international filmmakers. TINFF is recognized as a Canadian Screen Awards-qualifying festival by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television.
Its 10th edition, TINFF@10, takes place September 4–12, 2026, in Toronto and Brampton, Canada.