Vancouver, BC March 7, 2022 - Vancouver child actor and filmmaker Denzel Kai Ayodele Onaba’s talent, confidence, wisdom and career vision stretch far beyond his nine years of age, and he is already making an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. Just like Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington, for whom he was named, Denzel Onaba is not only a consummate professional, but is extremely good-natured. Denzel made his on-screen debut in the award-winning 2021 video short Just Break Away. As an actor, writer, filmmaker, director and musician, Denzel seeks to integrate his Afro-Canadian heritage into his craft whenever possible. Playing the role of a Black child and honouring Black struggles, he has broken down stereotypes in several short films by showcasing Black children as capable, talented and resilient trendsetters. Denzel recently appeared in the Hallmark TV movie A Godwink Christmas: Miracle of Love, an episode of the SYFY series Resident Alien, as well as six educational videos for the Canadian Mental Health Association, multiple short films, commercials (including the aforementioned Just Break Away, Clearly and Walmart), and several music videos.
Denzel has always been homeschooled and currently participates in an online youth entrepreneurship program hosted by the Black Business Association of BC. While helping to rewrite the African diasporic narrative in Canadian film and television, he has been working continuously despite pandemic industry challenges. Denzel’s upcoming projects include several high-profile television and film roles that are still confidential and TBA; portraying the younger version of ‘Adewolf,’ a Nigerian Rapper, and ‘Young Simon’ in Kinky Boots, his first musical theatre production scheduled to be staged this summer.
Last year, Denzel co-directed an epic 4-minute film called SAWABONA and was featured on Global News as one of the youngest participants in Run-N-Gun, a 48-hour filmmaking competition. The film was given its African title, which means “I SEE YOU,” to reflect the integration of cultures. This powerful short has been screened at festivals including the 2021 Vancouver Black Film Festival and the Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC) Youth Diversity Film Festival. Following in the interest of movie making Denzel attended and excelled at the Gabriola Arts Society Film Maker’s Camp in 2021 and has been described as “unequivocally one of the best child actors I’ve ever worked with.” - Devon Mussett, Freelance Film Director.
|