The Committee, which had, in September, called on Nigerian
filmmakers to submit their films for the next edition of the Award scheme,
cancelled its plan towards the country’s participation at the Oscars 2022.
Chairperson of NOSC, Chineze Anyaene-Abonyi, in a letter to
the AMPAS, expressed regret that the Committee could not continue the selection
process for this season, citing eligibility issues of films received as a major
concern.
Anyaene-Abonyi stated that “After a series of deliberations
by the Committee members, we regret to announce that there won’t be a
submission of a film to represent the country for the 94th Academy Awards. This
is due to the fact that the films received so far for screening failed the
eligibility rule test set by the Academy.
“The Committee is committed to ensuring that the film which
would eventually represent the country at the 94th Academy Awards in the
International Feature Film category meets all eligibility rules and technical
requirements for the competition.”
The IFF Award is presented annually by the Academy to a
feature-length motion picture produced outside the United States that contains
50 per cent or more of non-English dialogue.
The 94th Academy Awards requires that films submitted must
meet other criteria, including accurate English subtitles, streaming or
theatrical release for at least seven consecutive days in Nigeria, between
January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021.
The NOSC boss, while expressing optimism that Nollywood will
be better prepared for subsequent editions of the Oscars, noted that there was
a need for Nigerian filmmakers to learn more about the Academy rules.
Anyaene-Abonyi added that the NOSC would be engaging
practitioners in a series of training.
Nigeria attained its first-time feat at the Academy last
year with the country’s submission, “The Milkmaid”, being ratified by the
Executive Committee of the IFF, having passed the eligibility rule test before
dropping at the first shortlist category.