Nollywood submissions for 93rd Oscars resume as NOSC reopens portal

The Nigeria Oscar Selection Committee (NOSC) has reopened its portal for film submissions ahead of the 93rd Academy Awards (Oscars) after the approval of movies with Pidgin English dialogues.

The Oscars had earlier approved Nigerian Pidgin as a non-English (foreign) recording dialogue for films.

This qualified Nigerian movies that used the language for the international feature film (IFF) category of its award.

Due to this, NOSC had told TheCable Lifestyle that it might consider re-opening its submission portal, which it previously closed on October 2, to allow producers with Pidgin English movies to submit their films.

On Thursday, the committee issued a statement where it announced the reopening of its portal for the submissions.

In the statement obtained by TheCable Lifestyle, it said films could start rolling in from October 29 to 23:59 GMT+1 on November 3.

As part of the reasons for its move, NOSC said submissions already made to the committee had yet to meet all eligibility rules.

In 2019, NOSC nominated ‘Lionheart’, a directorial debut of Genevieve Nnaji, an actress, to represent the country at the 2020 Oscars but the movie was later disqualified because it had “too much English dialogue”.

“The committee has worked tirelessly to ensure that the film, which will be representing the country at the 93rd Academy Awards would have to meet all eligibility rules and technical requirements,” the statement added.

“Also, with the approval of Nigerian pidgin by the Academy as a non-English recording dialogue in films, this would further allow entries from more filmmakers and provide creatives the opportunity to showcase their art.”

While speaking on the committee’s resolve to reopen the submission portal, Chineze Anyaene, its chairperson, said: “The NOSC had a tough choice to make between the risk of not submitting a film for the 93rd Oscars or to reopen the submission portal.

“But, after critical deliberations, the committee has decided to reopen the portal to provide filmmakers an extended time to submit their work and their supporting documents.

“The year has been a very peculiar one, and no one was prepared for what we are currently witnessing. The aim is to have a well-rounded and worthy representation at the Oscars.”