OSCARS approves Nigerian committee for NOLLYWOOD films

The committee members include Chineze Anyaene, Ngozi Okafor, Olumide Amure, Ramsey Nouah, Kene Mkparu, Emeka Mba, Chioma Ude, Akin Salami, Mildred Okwo, Biola Alabi, Charles Novia and Shuaibu Husseini.

‪Ahead of the 2015 Oscars, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), has approved a twelve-member committee of Nollywood stakeholders, the Nigerian Oscars Selection Committee (NOSC), paving the way for Nigerian entries to be considered for the world’s most prestigious prizes for films.

‬Each year, countries with an approved selection committee may submit one film for consideration for the Foreign Language Film Award Oscar; only 5 films are chosen from all international submissions for Academy members to cast their votes and choose a winning foreign language film.

“This is a great opportunity for Nigeria to have a voice in the international film arena”, said Chineze Anyaene, filmmaker and committee chairperson.

‬The NOSC comprises twelve professionals who have over time proved their mettle as some of the finest in the Nigerian movie industry. They will select one Nollywood movie each year to be submitted for the Oscars.

‬According to Academy rules, the members will consider submissions on seven criteria, which are: story, direction, acting, cinematography, sound, music and universal theme.
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A member, Shuiabu Husseini, says, “The Nollywood film industry needs to play globally so people begin to look towards us.”

‬Every Nollywood movie selected each year will compete with movies from eighty-five (85) other countries for the coveted Best Foreign Language Film Award. Academy members will then pick a shortlist of five foreign language pictures ahead of the awards ceremony.

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The approval of NOSC represents a milestone for Nigeria’s movie industry which has been recognised as one of the top largest movie industries globally.