Nigeria’s cinematic gem, ‘Mami Wata’, has been selected by the Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) to represent the country in the International Feature Film (IFF) category for the 2024 Oscars. The film, directed by C.J. Obasi, tells the story of a West African goddess and her fading influence in a troubled village, using stunning black-and-white visuals.
‘Mami Wata’ is the first Nigerian film to be chosen for the IFF category since the establishment of the NOSC in 2013. The committee had previously submitted two films, Lionheart in 2019 and The Milkmaid in 2020, but both failed to reach the nomination stage. ‘Lionheart’ was disqualified for not meeting the language criterion, while ‘The Milkmaid’ was accepted but did not advance further.
The selection of ‘Mami Wata’ is a milestone for Nigerian cinema, gaining recognition and acclaim on the global stage. The film premiered at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, where it won a special jury prize for its cinematography. It also received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike, with a perfect 100 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Obasi expressed his gratitude and honor on social media, saying that the film’s selection meant something for the culture and the new narrative of Nigerian cinema. He also dedicated the film to his late sisters, Prisca and Zinwe, whose names inspired the characters in the film.
Obasi’s Fiery Film Company produced the film in collaboration with Guguru Studios, Palmwine Media, Swiss Fund Visions Sud Est, and Ifind Pictures of France. The film’s international appeal reflects the diversity and creativity of Nigerian filmmakers, who have been making waves in various genres and formats.
However, despite the film’s success abroad, it faced challenges at home. The film’s distributor, FilmOne Entertainment, did not invest much in marketing or securing convenient showtimes, resulting in a poor box office performance. The film only made N2.4 million in its opening weekend, suggesting a lack of support and demand for such films in Nigeria.
This raises questions about the state of the Nigerian film industry, popularly known as Nollywood, which is one of the largest and most prolific in the world. According to a report by PwC, Nollywood generated $590 million in revenue in 2020 and employed over one million people. However, the industry faces many challenges, such as piracy, low-quality standards, lack of funding, and limited distribution channels.
The NOSC hopes that the selection of ‘Mami Wata’ will inspire more Nigerian filmmakers to pursue excellence and innovation in their craft and to tell stories that reflect the rich and diverse culture of Nigeria. The committee also hopes the film will receive more support and appreciation from local audiences and stakeholders.
The Oscars, also known as the Academy Awards, are considered the most prestigious awards in the film industry. They are organized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), which is comprised of over 10,000 members from various branches of filmmaking. The Academy invites new members yearly based on their achievements and contributions to cinema. In June this year, five Nigerian filmmakers – Richard Mofe-Damijo, C.J Obasi, Jade Osiberu, Kunle Afolayan, and Shola Dada – were invited to join the Academy as part of its 2023 member intake.
The nominations for the 2024 Oscars will be announced on January 25 next year. The ceremony will occur on February 27th at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. ‘Mami Wata’ will compete with films from other countries for a spot among the five nominees for the IFF category. It will make history as Nigeria’s first Oscar-nominated film if it succeeds.
Source: Business Day
