Love story between octopus and human nominated for best documentary Oscar

Craig Foster said his relationship with the octopus taught him about life's fragility and our connection with nature, and even helped him become a better father. Photo: Handout

Pets can easily bond with humans, but when a wild octopus befriends a diver and becomes his life coach, that true story scores a best documentary nomination for this Sunday's Oscars (April 26 in Malaysia).

Ten years in the making, My Octopus Teacher began as a personal video project by South African filmmaker Craig Foster to rekindle his connection with nature by observing an inquisitive female mollusc while free-diving near Cape Town.