Why Many Nigerian Films Didn’t Qualify For 2025 Oscars

The Nigeria Official Selection Committee (NOSC) for the 2025 Oscars have selected the film ‘Mai Martaba’ as Nigeria’s Best International Feature Film Submission.

Directed by Prince Daniel, the film produced in Hausa language with English subtitles beat three others and ‘Kaka’, the director’s second submission for the Oscars to secure the spot.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP Weejend, NOSC member and president of the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN), Dr Victor Okhai, highlighted why some quality Nigerian films did not qualify for the Oscars.

“People often submit films released on streaming platforms such as Netflix for the Oscars. That is a mistake. Films submitted for the Oscars must be shown in cinemas no less than seven consecutive days, and substantially produced in a foreign language. The only time films released in streaming platforms made the Oscars was during COVID.

“One of the submissions for the Best International Feature Film category, was a fantastic film. But it didn’t make selection because it was substantially in English.

“We mustn’t be sentimental about this. Every film award has its criteria that participants must adhere to. Otherwise, it is like submitting a best live action horror film for an animation film award. Even if it is the best horror film, it can never win that category. So, the question is: when you were making your movie, did you have the Oscars in mind.

“Mai Martaba met all the criteria including the required technical specifications,” asked Okhai.
To qualify for the Oscars Best International Film Category – at least 50 percent of the film’s dialogue must be in a language other than English, must be mainly produced by a production company in the submitting country, and must have released and screened in submitting country’s local cinemas for at least seven consecutive days. The film can also be a documentary or animation film.

Post its final production edit in June/July 2024, Mai Martaba released in cinemas in July 2024. Director Daniel the choice to release in three local northern Nigerian cinemas in Kaduna, Kano and Katsina, for three consecutive weeks (21 days) was to ensure it was seen by its targeted demographics.

“It is a privilege to represent our country at this prestigious global event. We feel honoured that of all the films in Nigeria, ours had the highest votes. The film took three years (off and on) in production, and we did six pick up shoots, seven cuts, a reshoot and reconstruction of its story – to create a bandit camp,” said Daniel.

Set in the fictional Kingdom of Jallaba, a King’s choice of his successor, his daughter, brews conflict amongst the ruling clans, hanging the economic stability and prospect of a new dynasty in the balance. Who will rule – a princess, her rival, or a deposed clan? Can Jallaba survive?

“Mai Martaba is more than just a story. It is inspired by the quest to tell an authentic African story; the desire to showcase the depth of Hausa culture and address modern filmmaking challenges in northern Nigeria. It is a celebration of our culture, our struggles, and our triumphs as Nigerians,” concluded Daniel.