Tag: Oscars

The Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) has announced that Nigeria will not be submitting any film for the International Feature Film category at the 2026 Academy Awards.

Although six films were submitted for consideration, the committee ruled that none met the standards required for global competition.

In a statement, NOSC Chairperson Stephanie Linus cited a lack of creative and technical intentionality in Nigerian films as the reason for the decision.

She, however, acknowledged the progress made so far and the growing awareness of international standards, while stressing the need for further development in the industry.

“While Nigerian films have no doubt shown significant improvement and growing awareness of IFF standards, there is still a deficit in creative and technical intentionality that will improve their competitive potential for global awards,” she said.

Read Also: 98th Oscars: Nigeria begins selection process for submission

The committee plans to take proactive steps to encourage filmmakers to create with the Oscars in mind.

“This is why the NOSC will be taking more proactive steps to encourage filmmakers to create with the Oscars in mind,” Linus stated.

Linus encouraged Nigerian filmmakers to study previous International Feature Film-nominated works to deepen their understanding of the category’s expectations and strengthen future submissions.

The NOSC has formally communicated its decision to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, expressing regret that no Nigerian film was deemed suitable for the category this year.

The International Feature Film award is presented annually by the Academy to a feature-length motion picture produced outside the United States that contains at least 50 per cent non-English dialogue.

The Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) has opened its call for entries for the International Feature Film (IFF) category of the 97th Annual Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars.

Nigerian filmmakers have been encouraged to submit their feature films for consideration, with the submission portal open from August 1, 2024, to August 30, 2024.

To be eligible, films must meet specific criteria, including being feature-length motion pictures produced outside the United States with at least 50 percent of dialogue in a language other than English.

The NOSC, accredited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), is responsible for selecting Nigeria’s official entry for the IFF Award.

According to the team lead, Stephanie Linus, she said: “97th Oscars: Nigerian Selection Committee Calls for Entries

“The Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) invites Nigerian filmmakers to submit their feature films for consideration in the International Feature Film (IFF) category of the 97th Annual Academy Awards (Oscars).

Read Also: Ali Nuhu, Blessing Egbe, Victor Akande join Nigeria’s Oscars Selection Committee

“The NOSC, accredited by AMPAS, is responsible for choosing Nigeria’s official entry for the IFF Award. The submission portal will remain open from August 1, 2024, to August 30, 2024, at thenosc.org.

“The IFF Award is conferred annually by the Academy to a feature-length motion picture produced outside the United States which contains 50 percent or more of dialogue in a language or languages other than English.  
The Academy stipulates that submitted films must meet specific criteria, including providing accurate, legible English subtitles, adherence to particular shooting formats, and evidence of theatrical release—detailed information regarding these requirements is available on the NOSC website”

The 97th Oscars ceremony is scheduled to take place on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Ovation Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States, and will be broadcast live to over 200 territories worldwide.

Nigeria’s foremost casting director, Kolade Shasi, has said the recognition of casting directors at the Oscars is welcome.

Shasi noted that the development was a positive news for Nigerian casting directors, as it should lead to an increased emphasis on the importance of casting direction locally.

 In February 2024, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS)’s Board of Governors announced the creation of an annual competitive award for achievement in casting, beginning with the 98th Academy Awards which will be held in 2026 – for films released in 2025.

The Manchester-born casting director, who was a speaker at the London-based FOCUS film event in December 2023, alleged he was denied credits for some of his works as a casting director, including his work on the Amazon original, ‘Breath of Life.’

Shasi said, “Indeed I was the casting director for ‘Breath of Life,’ yet I did not get credit on the film. I probably shouldn’t have been surprised as I was only paid half of the agreed fee for the project. Be that as it may, the future of casting directing in Nigeria is bright as is the future of Nigerian filmmaking in general.”

Read Also: FULL LIST of winners at Oscars 2024

While Nigeria is still waiting to win its first award in the International Film category, it is certainly good news for Nigerian casting directors and potential casting directors that the biggest film awards in the world will now have a specific category to recognise the hard work that they put in, unearthing the talents who become the stars that we all love. This recognition should have a positive effect on casting directors in Nollywood where it must be said that the profession is seemingly under-appreciated as an important crucial part of the filmmaking process.

It is widely believed by cinephiles that the positive move by the AMPAS should reduce situations of casting directors not getting credits for the jobs they do as award festivals would need to have the names of casting directors submitted for the projects.

Shasi is the only Nigerian filmmaker who is a member of the jury at the D&AD Awards to be held in London, next month.