Kannywood’s ‘Mai Martaba’ to represent Nigeria at 2025 Oscars

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Kannywood film ‘Mai Martaba’

The Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) has chosen ‘Mai Martaba‘, an epic Hausa film, to represent the country in the ‘International Feature Film’ category at the 2025 Oscars.

The selection was made after a rigorous voting session by the 15-member NOSC committee.

The NOSC committee comprises industry professionals such as Stephanie Linus, the chairperson; Victor Okhai, president of Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN); Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Andy Amenechi, Yibo Koko, movie director Izu Ojukwu, and filmmaker Emem Isong.

Others are Ali Nuhu, managing director of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC); Kene Okwuosa, group CEO of Filmhouse Cinemas; Dimeji Ajibola, Jude Idada, John Njamah, Meg Otanwa, Blessing Effiom Egbe, Ijeoma Grace Agu, and Victor Akande.

‘Mai Martaba’ stood out for its thought-provoking theme of diverse voices in decision-making and inclusive leadership, as well as its exceptional visual and technical appeal.

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Watch the film’s trailer below:

Produced and directed by Prince Daniel, the film explores power, love, greed, and betrayal in an ancient African kingdom, highlighting female leadership in a patriarchal society.

The film’s setting, inspired by the Trans-Saharan trade exchange, showcases the kingdom’s rise and fall due to internal power struggles within the Agadashawa ruling clan.

‘Mai Martaba,’ believed to be Kannywood’s most expensive movie, will await the International Feature Film (IFF) executive committee’s decision. The film has also been selected for the Septimius Awards in Amsterdam.

The 97th Oscars ceremony will take place on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Ovation Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.

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