Itegboje Daniel, a 500-level medical student at the University of Benin, has achieved a remarkable feat with his documentary film “O.Y.O (On Your Own).” The film has been selected to be screened at the prestigious Durban International Film Festival, a platform that could earn it an Oscar nomination.
Founded in 1979 by Teddy and Ros Sarkin, the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) is renowned as one of the leading film festivals in Africa. With over 100 screenings, most of which are premieres in the region, it holds significant cultural and artistic importance.
The festival includes a competition, and winning the Best Documentary or Best Short Films categories could lead to automatic qualification for the Oscars Shorts and Documentary nominations.
Itegboje expressed his excitement about the selection of his film on his official X page. He shared his longstanding passion for filmmaking, which has been evident since his teenage years. Despite his career pursuit in medicine, Itegboje has managed to find a delicate balance between medicine and documentary filmmaking, as evident in his successful career and numerous nominations and awards.
“O.Y.O (On Your Own)” stands out as the sole Nigerian film in the Oscar-qualifying shorts category at the festival. The documentary offers a compelling portrayal of the lives of young boys growing up in the streets of Benin, reflecting their journey from childhood to adulthood. Their story sheds light on the unique brotherhood they have formed, known locally as “The Elema Boys.”
Notably, “O.Y.O (On Your Own)” has received sponsorship from the French embassy for a screening in Paris and participated in the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards in Los Angeles. Itegboje has announced that the release date of his documentary will be revealed to the public soon.
