2nd May, 2014
Funsho Arogundade
Ahead of the 2015 Oscars, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, AMPAS, has approved a 12-man committee of Nollywood stakeholders, as the Nigerian Oscars Selection Committee, NOSC, paving the way for Nigerian entries to be considered for the world’s most prestigious prizes for films.
The NOSC comprises twelve outstanding professionals who have over time proved their mettle as some of the finest in the movie industry, will select one Nollywood movie each year to be submitted for the Oscars.
The committee is headed by Chineze Anyaene, movie director and producer of Ije.
Other members of the committee are Emeka Mba, Biola Alabi, Ngozi Okafor, Olumide Amure, Ramsey Nouah and Kene Mkparu.
Also in the committee are Chioma Ude, Akin Salami, Mildred Okwo, Charles Novia and Shaibu Husseini.
According to Academy rules, the members will consider submissions on seven criteria: story, direction, acting, cinematography, sound, music and universal theme.
“This is a great opportunity for Nigeria to have a voice in the international film arena,” said Anyaene.
Each year, countries with an approved selection committee may submit one film for consideration for the Foreign Language Film Award Oscar; only five films are chosen from all international submissions for Academy members to cast their votes and choose a winning foreign language film.
Shaibu Husseini, member of the committee said the approval of NOSC represents a milestone for the nation’s movie industry which has been recognized as one of the top largest movie industries globally.
“Nollywood needs to play on the global stage so people can begin to look towards us,” Husseini said.
Every Nollywood movie selected each year will compete with movies from 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.