Submission is Now Open for the 94th Academy Awards
The Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) for the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences has called on Nigerian filmmakers to submit their films for the 94th Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars. Nigerian filmmakers will submit their films for the International Feature Film (IFF) category.
The window for film submissions which opened on Monday, 20th of September 2021 will last until Monday, 4th of October 2021.
The NOSC will select one film as Nigeria’s entry in the IFF award category upon completion of the selection process. The IFF Award will then be presented by the Academy to a feature-length motion picture produced outside the United States that has at least 50% or more non-English dialogue.
The Academy in 2020, approved the Nigerian pidgin English as a qualification for this category.
Read Also: Academy Approves the Nigerian Pidgin English as a Foreign Language for the Oscars
The 94th Academy Awards requires that films submitted must meet other criteria including accurate English subtitles, exhibition formats and theatrical releases for at least seven consecutive days in Nigeria between the 1st of January 2021 and 31st of December 2021. However, following the Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, films that were scheduled for a theatrical release but were rather made available through streaming services are also eligible for submission.
Since the Academy’s first submission of Genevieve Nnaji’s “Lionheart” in 2019, the NOSC has seen a significant rise in the quality of Nigerian films and storytelling. Desmond Ovbiagele’s “The Milkmaid” was Nigeria’s submission to the International Film Category for the 2021 Awards.
The NOSC further announced the inclusion of Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and award-winning filmmaker Izu Ojukwu in the selection committee. Their qualifications and broad experiences will greatly benefit the selection process for a Nigerian entry.
The NOSC is led by filmmaker and entrepreneur, Chineze Anyaene-Abonyi, with other members of the committee including Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Chairman, Audio-Visual Rights Society of Nigeria; Mildred Okwo, Filmmaker/Talent Manager; Ego Boyo, veteran actress and filmmaker; Adetokunbo “DJ Tee” Odubawo, Director and Cinematographer; and Yibo Koko, Theatre Practitioner.
Others include Moses Babatope, Managing Director of FilmOne Entertainment; Bruce Ayonote, CEO, Legend Box Office; Victor Okhai, Founder of In-Short Film Festival; Omoni Oboli, Actress and Producer; and Shaibu Husseini; Journalist/Film Critic.
Nigerian film entries should be submitted to the NOSC via https://thenosc.org/submit-your-film.
For more information about the award, visit https://thenosc.org.special-rules-for-iff-awards and info@thenosc.org.information