The move comes months after Nigeria declined to submit a film for the 98th Academy Awards, saying none of the entries met the required standard.
The Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) has opened submissions for Nigeria’s entry in the International Feature Film (IFF) category of the 99th Academy Awards, marking the country’s return to the Oscars selection process after it failed to submit a film for the previous edition.
Last year, Nigeria did not submit a film for the 98th Academy Awards after the NOSC’s review committee concluded that none of the entries met the required standards for “creative and technical intentionality.”
Established as the body recognised by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) to select Nigeria’s official Oscar entry, the NOSC has overseen the country’s participation in the International Feature Film category since 2019. Although Nigeria has submitted several films over the years, it is yet to receive its first nomination in the category.
The new call for entries offers Nigerian filmmakers another opportunity to compete for a place at one of the world’s most prestigious film awards.
The NOSC said Nigerian filmmakers, producers and rights holders can submit qualifying films through its official portal, www.thenosc.org, between 1 August and 31 August 2026.
To qualify, a film must be feature-length, produced outside the United States and contain at least 50 per cent of its dialogue in a language other than English. Nigerian Pidgin English qualifies under the Academy’s rules.
The film must also include accurate, legible English subtitles and have a running time of more than 40 minutes.
In addition, it must be screened commercially in a public cinema for at least seven consecutive days at a single venue before any release on television, streaming platforms or the internet, as prior digital or broadcast release will result in disqualification.
Full eligibility guidelines and submission details are available on the NOSC website.
The selected film will represent Nigeria at the 99th Academy Awards, joining entries from around the world in the International Feature Film competition.
The Academy has also introduced a new qualification pathway for the category.
Under the rule, films that are not submitted through the NOSC or fail to meet the theatrical release requirement may still qualify independently if they win a top award at a recognised international film festival.
Eligible festivals include Berlin, Cannes, Venice, Sundance, Toronto and Busan.
The 99th Academy Awards will be held on 14 March 2027 and broadcast live in more than 200 territories worldwide.
