The machinery for a Nigerian film to be in contention at the next edition of the Academy Awards, commonly known as The Oscars, has been put in motion. It is in the form of the Nigerian Oscars Selection Committee (NOSC), which has film stakeholders like: Chineze Anyaene, Ngozi Okafor, Olumide Amure, Ramsey Nouah, Kene Mkparu, Emeka Mba, Chioma Ude, Akin Salami, Mildred Okwo, Biola Alabi, Charles Novia and Shaibu Husseini.
The 12 will, among other things, select and recommend to the Academy in California an entry from Nigeria that should be considered in the Best Foreign Language Film category. The committee was approved by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to screen indigenous films for the coming award.
Each year, countries with an approved selection committee are allowed to submit one film for consideration for the Foreign Language Film category. Only five films are chosen from all international submissions for Academy members to cast their votes and choose a winning foreign language film.
Anyaene, who chairs the committee, said it is “a great opportunity for Nigeria to have a voice in the international film arena”.