Nigeria’s aspirations for an Oscar win in the International Feature Film category at the 2024 Academy Awards have been dashed as its entry, “Mami Wata,” failed to secure a spot on the coveted shortlist.
The Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) had fervently chosen “Mami Wata,” a film that previously garnered accolades at the Sundance Festival, as its contender for the 96th Academy Awards’ International Feature Film category. However, the film fell short when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed the shortlisted films from 15 countries.
The shortlisted films, hailing from diverse regions, include “The Monk and the Gun” from Bhutan, “Amerikatsi” from Armenia, “The Promised Land” from Denmark, “The Taste of Things” from France, “Fallen Leaves” from Finland, “The Teachers’ Lounge” from Germany, “Godland” from Iceland, “Perfect Days” from Japan, “Io Capitano” from Italy, “Totem” from Mexico, “The Mother of All Lies” from Morocco, “Four Daughters” from Tunisia, “Society of Snow” from Spain, “20 Days in Mariupol” from Ukraine, and “The Zone of Interest” from the United Kingdom.
The 96th Oscars, scheduled for Sunday, March 10, 2024, will be globally broadcasted from the Dolby Theatre at Ovation, Hollywood, reaching audiences in over 200 territories worldwide.
It’s a disappointing outcome for Nigeria’s film industry, yet the global stage eagerly awaits to celebrate and recognize the exceptional talent and creativity showcased in the diverse array of films vying for the prestigious International Feature Film award at the upcoming Oscars.
