Genevieve Nnaji's ‘Lionheart’ will represent Nigeria at 2020 Oscars

After due process and deliberation, the Nigerian Oscars Selection Committee (NOSC) has picked Genevieve Nnaji's 'Lionheart' as the country's submission to the International Feature Film category of the 2020 Oscars.

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The group announced the selection on Wednesday, October 2, 2019, following a statutory vetting and subsequent voting of entries received from Nigerian filmmakers at home and in the Diaspora.

Members of the Nigeria Oscar Selection Committee that include Chineze Anyaene, Mahmood Alli Balogun, Mildred Okwo, Charles Novia and Shuaibu Husseni. ece-auto-gen

Produced by Chinny Onwugbenu, Chichi Nwoko, Genevieve Nnaji, and directed by Genevieve Nnaji, 'Lionheart' premiered at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and was acquired on September 7, 2018, as first Netflix original film produced in Nigeria.

The film stars Pete Edochie, Genevieve Nnaji, Nkem Owoh, Onyeka Onwenu, Kanayo .O. Kanayo, Chika Okpala, Kalu Ikeagwu, Sanni Mu’azu, Yakubu Mohammed, Ngozi Ezeonu, Peter Okoye (P-Square), and Chibuzor Azubuike (Phyno).

Released worldwide on January 4, 2019 after a December 2018 theatrical release in Nigeria, 'Lionheart', which is Nnaji's directorial debut, tells the story of a young woman, Adaeze Obiagu (Genevieve Nnaji), who becomes saddled with the responsibility of running her sick father’s business under the suffocating supervision of an uncle, played by Nkem Owoh. Adaeze's competing business instincts and family obligations become a catalyst for drastic change not everyone is ready to embrace.

Nkem Owoh features as Genevieve Nnaji's uncle in the film, 'Lionheart', which has been chosen to represent Nigeria at 2020 Oscars. [Variety] Variety

Since the inauguration of the NOSC in 2014, this is the first time Nigeria is advancing a film to the Oscar, as previous entries received by the committee did not meet basic criteria.

Among the films received this year, the NOSC said it picked 'Lionheart' for its considerable shots at the rules.

The 12-man team boasts of notable Nigeria's film industry stakeholders of international standing.

The team is Chaired by Chineze Anyaene, Producer and Director of 'Ije,' and foremost filmmaker and Chairman of the Audio-Visual Rights Society (AVRS) of Nigeria, Mahmood Ali-Balogun as Vice Chairman.

Others include Bruce Ayonote, CEO of Legend Box Office; filmmaker and talent manager, Mildred Okwo; Journalist/Film Critic, Shaibu Husseini; filmmaker/author, Charles Novia; award-winning filmmaker, CJ Obasi; top actor Ramsey Nouah; versatile director and cinematographer, Adetokunbo 'DJ Tee' Odubawo; movie producer, Ngozi Okafor; AFRIFF Founder, Chioma Ude and director of Green-White-Green, Abba Makama.

According to Anyaene, entries received this year show significant improvements from the previous years.

"While we cannot say that what we have are the best that Nigeria is capable of producing, it is heart-lifting to know that, from the strength of the entries received this year, we are truly ready for the Oscars. Filmmakers are gradually considering the Oscar rules, and I have no doubt that it is going to be more competitive, going forward," she said.

Every year, each country outside the United States is expected to submit one film as long as it’s not primarily in English. Films in pidgin, which must be subtitled like any other language film are also considered under this category.

Formerly called 'Best Foreign Language Film', 87 countries vied for the shortlisted slots last year, and from a final five Oscar nominations, 'Roma', a Mexican film directed by Alfonso Cuarón picked the honor.