Barely a year after Netflix acquired the original production rights to Genevieve Nnaji’s Lionheart, the movie has been selected to represent Nigeria in the Best International Feature Film category of the 2020 Oscars. This makes Lionheart the first movie to represent Nigeria at the Oscars.
The Nigerian Oscars Selection Committee (NOSC) made the announcement on Wednesday, October 2, 2019, after proper vetting of votes received from Nigerian filmmakers within and outside the country.
The NOSC, which was set up in 2014 with a mission to showcase Nigerian films and filmmakers to the Oscars, has been unsuccessful in its mission to find a movie which met all selection requirements till now.
Members of the 12-man committee include: Chineze Anyaene (who is the Chairman), Mildred Okwo, Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Ngozi Okafor, Charles Novia, Abba Makama, Bruce Ayonote, Ramsey Nouah, Chioma Ude, Shaibu Husseini, Adetokunbo Odubawo and C.J. Obasi
Lionheart is a dramatic thriller starring Genevieve Nnaji, Nkem Owoh, Pete Edochie, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Onyeka Onwenu, and a host of others.
The movie, which made its premiere at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival, was produced by Chinny Onwugbenu and directed by Genevieve Nnaji.
You can watch the trailer here
