Genevieve Nnaji’s ‘Lionheart’, has been picked as Nigeria’s submission to the International Feature Film category of the 2020 Oscars.
The Nigerian Oscars Selection Committee made the announcement on Wednesday October 2, following votes of entries received from Nigerian filmmakers worldwide.
‘Lionheart’ was premiered at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival, and was acquired on September 7, 2018, as first Netflix original film produced in Nigeria.
The movie is produced by Chinny Onwugbenu, Chichi Nwoko, Genevieve Nnaji and directed by Genevieve Nnaji.
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).
It tells a story of a young woman, Adaeze Obiagu, who is forced to take up the responsibility of running her ailing father’s business under the strict supervision of an uncle. Adaeze’s competing business instincts and family obligations become a catalyst for drastic change not everyone is ready to embrace.
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 revealed that ‘Lionheart’ was picked beacuse it fulfilled basic rules.
The 12-man team boasts of notable stakehokders in the Nigerian film industry.
According to Chairman of the team, Chineze 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 taking the Oscar rules into consideration, and I have no doubt that it is going to be more competitive, going forward,” she said.
