Filmmaker Ny Nana’s short film ‘Okeoghene’ has received 21 nominations at the 2026 Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF).
The film is nominated in categories including Best Nollywood Narrative Film, Best African Indigenous Film, Best Short Drama, and Best Film by a Female Filmmaker, with additional mentions across acting and technical fields.
Written, directed and produced by Ny Nana, ‘Okeoghene’ is a 14-minute Urhobo-language drama that follows a woman grappling with repeated miscarriages who discovers a spiritual connection to a neglected river deity in her family’s past. As her marriage begins to fracture, she turns to ritual and ancestral memory in search of healing.
The film, which stars Caroline Areoghene Igben and Elijah Ogann, explores themes of womanhood, spirituality, identity and cultural preservation and is part of a growing number of projects foregrounding indigenous language storytelling.
Speaking on the nominations, Ny Nana said:
“Okeoghene was born out of a desire to preserve and celebrate the Urhobo language and culture through film. To see this story receive recognition is both humbling and encouraging. I hope it inspires more filmmakers to tell authentic stories rooted in their communities.”
The nominations mark an early milestone in the film’s festival run, with recognition also spanning categories such as editing, costume design, makeup and hairstyling, original music and experimental filmmaking.
Produced under Ny Nana Studios, ‘Okeoghene’ continues the filmmaker’s focus on stories rooted in culture, spirituality and women’s experiences.
The film’s crew includes cinematographer and editor Damilare Adeeso, with costume design by Iwarri Ogenrukevwe Endurance and production management by Desmond Ejay.
