'Snow Colored Ashes' to Premiere at the Canadian Screen Awards–Qualifying Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF)
- Lyone Media Group
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Snow Colored Ashes has been announced as an official selection in the Best AI-Generated Short Film and Best New Media categories at the 10th Anniversary Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF). The festival will take place from September 4-12, 2026, in Brampton, and it will be the film’s first screening in Canada! As a Canadian Screen Award–Qualifying festival and a recognized platform by Telefilm Canada, TINFF offers a venue for filmmakers to share diverse narratives with both domestic and international audiences.
Table of Contents:
The Story of Snow Colored Ashes
Snow Colored Ashes is a music-driven, post-war short film that explores the intersection of grief and faith. The story follows a father who searches for his daughter in the aftermath of an attack. It was inspired by the writer, R.L. Lyone's, family history of relatives who lived through the war in Uganda. By focusing on the trauma carried by civilians during wartime, Snow Colored Ashes aims to show how violence permanently alters the lives of families.
The AI short film was completed in five months with a budget under $700. The technical approach relied on a variety of generative tools, including Seedream, Nano Banana, and Eleven Labs, among others. Generation of the film's visuals and audio adhered to the Framework for AI Responsibility (FAIRCodex), reflecting a commitment to ethical standards while testing the narrative potential of emerging technologies.
AI at the 10th Anniversary Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival
The selection of Snow Colored Ashes in two categories for this year’s 10th anniversary festival program provides an opportunity for Lyone Media Group to participate in a broader cinematic landscape that goes far beyond the limited scope of AI film festivals. As a Canadian Screen Award–Qualifying festival, the Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival adheres to industry standards that emphasize narrative and artistic merit.
Participation in an event of this scale allows for engagement with the festival’s integrated programming, including the Canada Black and Diversity Film Market Summit, which focuses on industry growth, co-production, and cross-border collaboration.
The inclusion of an AI-generated film at TINFF reflects the evolving dialogue within the industry regarding the tools available to modern creators. This festival provides a platform for such discussions, particularly through its focus on inclusive storytelling and the support of diverse voices from the African diaspora and global communities.
When is Snow Colored Ashes Screening at TINFF?
TINFF will be held at the Pearson Convention Centre and associated venues in Brampton, featuring a program of film screenings, industry conferences, and workshops leading up to the red carpet gala awards on September 12th. We will provide further information regarding the specific date and time for the screening of Snow Colored Ashes as the schedule is finalized. This premiere at one of Canada's largest multicultural film festivals represents the next step for our film following its successful world premiere at the inaugural Chicago AI Film Festival in April. We are excited for the opportunity to share this project with new audiences in the Canadian film community and beyond!
