Okeoghene , an Urhobo-language short film written, directed and produced by filmmaker Ny Nana, has received an outstanding 21 nominations at the 2026 Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF), a Canadian Screen Award-qualifying festival.
The film has been recognized across a wide range of categories, including
Best Film by a Female Filmmaker
Best Nollywood Narrative Film
Best African Indigenous Film
Best Photography
Best Actor (Nollywood)
Best Actress (Nollywood)
Best Editing (International)
Best Costume Design
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Best Original Music Film
Best Short Film
Best Short Drama
Best African Drama
Best International Film Poster among others.
Okeoghene tells the story of Ejiro, a woman whose repeated miscarriages reveal a forgotten ancestral bond with a river deity. As she confronts her family’s past, she embarks on a powerful journey of healing, spirituality, and self-discovery.
Produced entirely in the Urhobo language, the film celebrates one of Nigeria’s indigenous cultures while championing authentic African storytelling on the global stage. Through its exploration of tradition, womanhood, faith, and identity, Okeoghene seeks to preserve cultural heritage and inspire greater representation of indigenous languages in cinema.
Speaking on the nominations, filmmaker Ny Nana said: “When I was writing Okeoghene, I knew it would travel far but didn’t imagine it would receive this level of international recognition. These 21 nominations are a celebration of our cast, crew, and everyone who believed in this story. I hope this encourages more filmmakers to tell authentic stories rooted in their own cultures.”
With recognition across directing, acting, cinematography, editing, costume design, music, and technical excellence, Okeoghene continues to establish itself as one of the standout Nigerian short films on the international festival circuit.