The Nigerian Oscar Selection Committee (NOSC) has called for feature film entries by Nollywood filmmakers into the 93rd Oscar Awards.
The Oscar awards, also renowned as the Academy Awards, recently commenced receiving entries for deserving films released globally, with the event set to hold on April 25, 2021.
According to the NOSC, submissions will close on October 2, 2020.
The committee’s chairperson, Chineze Anyaene, said Thursday, that Nigeria’s first submission in 2019 represented a pivotal moment for the industry.
According to her, the committee has witnessed a rapid rise in the quality of Nigerian films, especially in storytelling. While noting that Nigerian filmmakers are aspiring for better creative and business opportunities, she added that the Oscar submission has opened a new dimension for the industry.
She said, “We were able to make our first-ever entry submission to the Oscars for the International Feature Film Awards category as a country, and the awareness this has brought to the industry as a whole has been amazing. It has opened the industry to other markets, and we hope to see partnerships with other industries soon.”
She said for the 93rd Academy Awards only, a country’s selected films that had a previously planned theatrical release but are initially made available through a reputable commercial streaming distribution service or video on demand may qualify for awards consideration in the International Feature category.
Anyaene stated that due to guidelines and government-mandated rules to manage coronavirus spread, filmmakers have to provide to the Academy documentation (original document(s) and an English translation) of government-mandated theatre/cinema closure dates. Previously planned theatrical releases and streaming distribution or video on demand agreements
‘‘Eligible films have to be made available on the secure Academy Screening Room member site within 60 days of the film official selection. Films that, in any version, receive a non-theatrical public exhibition or distribution before their first qualifying release will not be eligible for consideration.”
Filmmakers can submit their entries on the NOSC website.
The NOSC is a cultural organisation whose mission is to recognise and celebrate the art of cinema by showcasing Nigerian films and filmmakers to the Oscars for the category of Best Foreign Film.
The 93rd Nigerian Oscar Selection Committee members include Mahmood Ali-Balogun (vice-chairperson), Adetokunbo Odubawo, Bruce Ayonote, Charles Novia, Ego Boyo, Mildred Okwo, Moses Babatope, Omoni Oboli, Shuaibu Husseini, Victor Okhai and Yibo Koko.
The NOSC selected Genevieve Nnaji’s Lion heart as the country’s entry to the International Feature Film category of the 2020 Oscars.
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