Nigerian Oscar Hopes Dashed as ‘Mami Wata’ Misses Cut for International Feature Film Nomination

Nigeria’s aspiration for an Oscar win in the International Feature Film category at the 2024 Oscars has been dashed, as the selected film, “Mami Wata,” failed to secure a spot among the shortlisted movies from 15 countries.

The Nigerian Official Section Committee (NOSC) had initially chosen the Sundance Festival award-winning film with high hopes for the 96th Academy Awards. Unfortunately, it fell short when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences unveiled the shortlists for various categories, including the International Feature Film.

The selected films for the International Feature Film category are from 15 countries, including entries from Armenia, Bhutan, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Spain, Tunisia, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.

Despite the NOSC’s rationale for selecting “Mami Wata” – its relevant theme, unique approach to pre and post-colonial African societies, technical, and artistic excellence – the film did not make the final cut.

It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time Nigeria has faced disappointment in the Oscars’ International Feature Film category. Previous submissions like “Lionheart” by Genevieve Nnaji and “The Milkmaid” also faced setbacks. “Lionheart” was disqualified, and “The Milkmaid” did not secure a nomination. Despite these setbacks, the Nigerian film industry continues to showcase its talent and creativity on the global stage.

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Ikenna Churchill

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