 has opened submissions for Nigeria’s entry into the 2026 Oscars, inviting filmmakers){kind=link}
The Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) has officially opened submissions for Nigeria’s entry in the Best International Feature Film category of the upcoming 98th Academy Awards, set to take place on March 15, 2026, in Los Angeles, USA.
In a statement released on Monday, August 11, 2025, the committee revealed that the submission window will run from August 13 to September 12, 2025, through its dedicated online portal.
According to NOSC, eligible films must:
Be feature-length productions (over 40 minutes) created outside the United States.
Have at least 50% of dialogue in a non-English language, with Nigerian Pidgin English qualifying.
Feature accurate English subtitles.
Meet the technical specifications approved by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).
The selected film will serve as Nigeria’s official representation at the prestigious Oscars ceremony, which will be broadcast live to over 200 territories worldwide, potentially reaching hundreds of millions of viewers.
The NOSC remains the only body recognized by AMPAS to nominate Nigeria’s entry for the Best International Feature Film category. In recent years, Nigerian cinema — popularly known as Nollywood — has made bold strides in the global film industry, with productions like The Milkmaid and Mami Wata earning international acclaim and spotlighting the country’s storytelling heritage.
However, Nigeria is yet to secure an Oscar nomination in this category, a challenge that NOSC chairperson, Stephanie Linus, has previously said requires “world-class storytelling, technical excellence, and the ability to resonate universally while staying authentically Nigerian.”
An Oscars submission offers more than just a chance at a golden statuette. It positions Nigerian filmmakers on a global stage, opens doors for international distribution, attracts foreign investments, and raises the profile of African cinema in general.
Industry experts say the early call for entries this year provides filmmakers ample time to fine-tune their submissions, especially in a year when Nollywood has witnessed high-profile releases, increased streaming acquisitions, and collaborations with major studios such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
The NOSC has urged filmmakers to carefully review the full eligibility criteria available on its official website before submitting their projects. Past entries have failed to meet AMPAS standards due to technical lapses, missing subtitles, or eligibility oversights.
“This is a chance for Nigerian cinema to stand tall in the global arena,” the statement emphasized. “We encourage all eligible filmmakers to submit their best work and showcase the richness, diversity, and creativity of our industry to the world.”
With the Oscars spotlight looming, all eyes will now turn to Nollywood to see which film will carry the nation’s hopes to Hollywood’s most prestigious night.