NOSC Declares No Film Submission for 2026 Oscars

NOSC Declares No Film Submission for 2026 Oscars

The Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) has announced that no Nigerian film will be submitted for consideration in the International Feature Film (IFF) category of the 96th Academy Awards scheduled for 2026.

The committee, which is responsible for selecting Nigeria’s entry for the prestigious awards, made the decision after its deliberations on September 26.

According to the NOSC, six films were submitted for screening following a public call for entries in August.

However, after a thorough evaluation, members voted for “No Submission,” effectively ending Nigeria’s participation in that category for the year.

Chairperson of the NOSC, Stephanie Linus, confirmed the decision in a formal letter addressed to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).

She commended filmmakers for their efforts, noting visible improvements in the quality of Nigerian productions.

Nevertheless, she emphasized that many of the entries still fell short in areas of creative depth and technical execution required to compete at the global stage.

“This was not an easy decision, but it reflects our commitment to upholding the highest standards in film selection.

While Nigerian cinema continues to grow, we must ensure our submissions meet the Academy’s rigorous criteria,” Linus said.

The development marks the second time in recent years that Nigeria will not feature in the IFF category of the Oscars.

Industry stakeholders say the decision, while disappointing, could serve as a wake-up call for filmmakers to prioritize stronger storytelling, technical excellence, and global competitiveness.

Nigeria first entered the Oscars race in 2019 with Genevieve Nnaji’s Lionheart, which was later disqualified for failing to meet the predominantly non-English dialogue requirement.

In 2021, Desmond Ovbiagele’s The Milkmaid made history as Nigeria’s first-ever official submission.

With this latest outcome, attention now turns to the Nigerian film industry’s continued evolution and the prospects of producing a globally recognized entry in future editions of the Academy Awards.