The Nigerian Official Selection Committee, NOSC, has challenged filmmakers to shift their focus from merely submitting films for the Academy Awards to producing movies capable of competing with the world’s best, insisting that international recognition begins long before a film reaches the Oscars
The charge came at the inaugural NOSC Industry Forum 2026, held at Filmhouse Cinemas, Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, where filmmakers, producers, directors, writers, distributors, exhibitors, film institutions, government agencies, financiers and students gathered to chart a new course for Nigeria’s international film ambitions
The forum, themed “From Eligibility to Competitiveness: Building Nigerian Films for Global Recognition,” examined what industry stakeholders described as the next phase of Nollywood’s evolution, from meeting eligibility requirements for the International Feature Film category to producing films with genuine global appeal
In her keynote presentation titled “The Road to International Feature Film Recognition,” chairperson of NOSC, Stephanie Linus, said the conversation surrounding the Oscars must move beyond the mechanics of submission to the quality and competitiveness of Nigerian productions
According to her, “For many years, conversations around the Oscars have often centred on one question: ‘How do we submit a film?’ We must now begin asking a different question: ‘How do we create films that deserve to compete among the world’s very best?’ Submission is a process. Competitiveness is a commitment.”
Linus took participants through the Academy’s eligibility requirements, recent changes to the rules governing the International Feature Film category, qualification pathways, language requirements, theatrical release conditions, creative control, technical standards and the distinction between eligibility and true competitiveness
She stressed that satisfying the Academy’s submission criteria alone was no guarantee of international success, urging filmmakers to pay greater attention to storytelling, technical quality and long-term strategic planning
Linus further called for greater collaboration across the Nigerian film industry, saying the country possesses abundant creative talent but must now match that with stronger planning and technical excellence
“Nigeria does not lack talent or stories. What we need now is greater intentionality, stronger development, technical excellence, strategic planning and collaboration. The goal is not simply to submit a film. The goal is to build films that can stand confidently among the best in the world,” she said
The forum also reviewed selected internationally acclaimed films as case studies, analysing storytelling, directorial vision, technical execution, cultural authenticity, festival strategy and global positioning
A panel session titled “Lessons from the Journey” featured filmmakers and industry professionals who shared insights from Nigeria’s previous International Feature Film campaigns, highlighting the realities that confront selected entries after nomination, including post-production demands, publicity, international festival exposure and awards campaigns
Throughout the discussions, participants identified weak script development, inadequate post-production, poor sound design, insufficient festival planning and limited international partnerships as some of the major obstacles preventing Nigerian films from achieving greater global recognition
Speakers also emphasised the need for sustainable financing, stronger distribution networks, professional subtitling and well-coordinated awards campaigns if Nigerian films are to compete effectively on the global stage
The forum further explored international co-productions, with participants explaining that foreign funding or the involvement of foreign crew members does not automatically determine a film’s country of submission, as issues such as creative leadership, production structure and rights ownership remain critical considerations under Academy rules
Members of the Nigerian Official Selection Committee also engaged stakeholders on the committee’s selection process, explaining the difference between a film that is merely eligible and one capable of attracting international attention
