The Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) for the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) and EbonyLife Films are on a warpath over the rejection of Biyi Bandele’s Eleshin Oba: The King’s Horseman.
Led by Chineze Anyaene-Abonyi, the 15-member NOSC is responsible for submitting a Nigerian film in the International Feature Film (IFF) category of the Oscars.
Eleshin Oba: The King’s Horseman, Kunle Afolayan’s Anikulapo and Femi Adebayo’s King of Thieves were rejected by some members of the committee after making it to the final of the selection process.
In a letter obtained by Qed.ng, dated September 19, 2022, the committee alleged that “It is as though anytime EbonyLife studios either makes an attempt to submit or submit to the NOSC, there is almost an upheaval and elicited agitation fuelled by lobbyists within the committee and allegedly induced by a third party.”
The letter read: “Dear EbonyLife Studios, Thank you for your interest and submission of your film -The King’s Horsemen: Elesin Oba to the NOSC for consideration as the Country’s entry for the International Feature Film (IFF) category at the 95th Oscars awards.”
“Following the screening and shortlisting of your film for the committee to vote on the country’s entry for the 95th IFF awards, your film- The King’s Horsemen: Elesin Oba came second with 5 votes from the 15-member committee, as as such did not garner a majority vote to be considered for submission as Nigeria’s entry. Please be informed that voting and eventual selection are based on the film that best satisfies the eligibility rule and technical requirements of the Academy in a bid to put forward our best foot.
“Prior to the voting, the committee members had agreed on a united front and to stick to the voting outcome regardless of how it swings, unfortunately, some started calling for a revote after a week of the exercise, thereby leading to a disruption of our process. It is as though anytime EbonyLife studios either makes an attempt to submit or submit to the NOSC, there is almost an upheaval and elicited agitation fuelled by lobbyists within the committee and allegedly induced by a third party.
“We have therefore escalated the situation to the Academy on the voting outcome and our position on this year’s submission for the IFF category. Again, thank you for your interest and time. We wish you success as your film achieves great milestones.”
Qed.ng also learnt that EbonyLife is considering taking legal action against the committee over the allegation.
Our correspondent also gathered that some members of NOSC have confessed they cannot defend the decision not to submit a film, especially with Nigerian films doing well on various distribution platforms.
“The committee’s job is not to determine the film that will win an Oscar but to submit one that meets the criteria.
“Getting a title mention alongside other countries that have films submitted for the Oscars – even if we do not win – would have been good for the Nigerian film industry,” the source said.
