NigerianOscarSelectionCommitteeCallsforFeatureFilmEntries
The Nigerian Oscar Selection Committee (NOSC) has announced a call for feature film entries by Nollywood filmmakers into the 93rd Academy Awards® (Oscars).
The Academy Awards recently opened entries to honour the best new films released globally, with the event set to hold on April 25, 2021.
According to the committee’s chairperson, Chineze Anyaene, the country’s first submission in 2019 represented a pivotal moment for the industry, as the committee has witnessed a rapid rise in the quality of Nigerian films, especially in storytelling.
“With many filmmakers and industry practitioners aspiring for better creative and business opportunities, the submission has opened a new dimension for the industry, which would also attract more investors.
“We were able to make our firstever 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 explained.
The global COVID-19 pandemic mandated the closure of commercial motion picture theaters worldwide.
Until further notice - and for the 93rd Academy Awards year only, the country 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 for the 93rd Academy Awards.
Revealing the new rules for award participation, Anyaene stated that“due to guidelines and government-mandated rules to manage the COVID-19 spread, filmmakers have to provide to the Academy documentation (original document(s) and an English translation) of government-mandated theater/cinema closure dates, previously planned theatrical release and steaming distribution or video on demand agreements”.
Eligible films have to be made available on the secure Academy ScreeningRoommembersitewithin 60 days of the film official selection.
Films that, in any version, receive a nontheatrical public exhibition or distribution before their first qualifying release will not be eligible for consideration.
More information on special rules for the award can be found on thenosc.org.special-rules-foriff-awards.
According to the Selection Committee, submission is set to close on October 2, 2020. Filmmakers can submit their entries to the NOSC by visiting https://thenosc.org/submityour-film. For technical submission details and further enquiries, please email info@thenosc.org.
The Selection Committee is officially recognised by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences to make submissions on behalf of the Nigerian film industry.
The 93rd Nigerian Oscar Selection Committee members include ChinezeAnyaene (Chairperson), Mahmood Ali-Balogun (Vice-Chairperson), Adetokunbo Odubawo,Bruce Ayonote,Charles Novia, Ego Boyo, Mildred Okwo, Moses Babatope, Omoni Oboli, ShuaibuHusseini, Victor Okhai andYibo Koko.
The Nigerian Oscar Selection Committee (NOSC), registered under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as“The Oscar Selection Association of Nigeria”is a cultural organisation whose mission is to recognise and celebrate the art of cinema by showcasing Nigerian films and filmmakers to the Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars for the category of Best Foreign Film.
The committee is to submit and represent Nigerian feature films at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Awards, popularly known as the Oscars.