Major Milestone for Nollywood! Oscars approve Nigerian Committee

Imagine your favourite star winning an Oscar!

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has approved a 12-man committee of Nollywood stakeholders, ahead of the 2015 Oscars (Academy Awards).

Called the Nigerian Oscars Selection Committee (NOSC), they’ll pave the way for Nigerian entries to be considered for the world’s prestigious prize for films.

Every year, countries with an approved selection committee may submit one film for consideration for the Foreign Language Film Award.

Only 5 movies are selected from all international submissions for Academy members to cast their votes and choose a winning foreign language production.

The 12 outstanding professionals that are part of the committee include;
Chairperson – Chineze Anyaene – Producer/Director | Ije starring Genevieve Nnaji and Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde
Ramsey Nouah – Actor
Charles Novia – Writer/Producer/Director | Alan Poza starring OC Ukeje, Kemi “Lala” Akindoju & Beverly Naya

Ngozi Okafor – Line Producer/Producer
Emeka Mba – Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC)
Chioma Ude – Executive Director of African International Film Festival (AFRIFF)
Akin Salami – Executive Producer/Distributor & Content Developer
Kene Mkparu – MD/CEO, Filmhouse Cinemas Nigeria
Mildred Okwo – Producer/Director
Biola Alabi – Managing Director, M-Net Africa
Olumide Amure – Managing Director of Bloomberg Television Africa Limited
Shaibu Husseini – Culture/Film Journalist/Film Critic

According to rules by the Academy, members will consider submissions on 7 criteria which are – story, direction, acting, cinematography, sound, music and universal theme.

Every Nollywood movie selected each year will compete with movie from 85 other countries for the coveted Best Foreign Language Film Award. The Academy will then pick a shortlist of 5 foreign language movies ahead of the ceremony.

This is a great milestone for Nollywood. Go Nigeria!