Oscars Closes Entries For Best International Film Submissions
October 1 was closing date for entries of the best international feature film category of the 98th Academy Awards. The award is scheduled to hold on March 15, 2026 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The international feature film category is a category of the Academy awards that is dedicated to films produced outside the US with a predominantly (more than 50 per cent) non-English dialogue track and can include animated and documentary features. To also qualify for that category, the film must be over 40 minutes and must have been released theatrically in their respective countries between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025. Films submitted usually go through the vetting stage, thereafter a shortlist of 15 finalists will be announced on December 16, 2025, with the final five nominees announced on January 22, 2026. As at press time, over 75 entries have been confirmed to have made the close of entry date. The confirmed entries include Red Rain (Vietnam), Silent City Driver (Mongolia), Black Rabbit (Tajikistan), Ali Primera (Venezuala) and The Heart Is a Muscle, the South African entry by Imran Hamdulay. Other countries that have submitted entries include Turkey, Ukraine, Iran, Iraq, Isreal, Jordan and Lebanon. Egypy submitted Sarah Goher’s Happy Birthday, Calle Malaga by Maryam Touzani was submitted by Morrocco, while Senegal submitted Demba as Mamadou Dia. Tunisia’s entry is The Voice of Hind Rajab by Kaouther Ben Hania. There was a total of 89 submission in 2024 with I am Still Here from Brazil winning the award. Full list can be sourced at https://www.oscars.org/
No Film Submission From Nigeria For The Oscars
WHILE African countries such as Morocco, South Africa and Tunisia have successfully submitted films to the Academy of Motion Picture, Arts and Sciences otherwise called Oscars, Nigeria has turned in a no movie submission for the 2025 award. The Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) announced during the week that the country will not be submitting a film for consideration in the 2026 Academy Awards’ International Feature Film (IFF) category. “While Nigerian films have no doubt shown significant improvement and growing awareness of IFF standards, there is still a deficit in creative and technical intentionality that will improve their competitive potential for global awards,” said NOSC Chairperson, Stephanie Linus, in a statement. The International Feature Film award is presented annually by the Academy to a feature-length motion picture produced outside the United States that contains at least 50 per cent non-English dialogue. However, the NOSC opened a call for entries last August. However, the committee said it received six submissions, and on September 26, a majority vote favoured “No Submission,” bringing the process to a close. Linus expressed regret that no Nigerian film was deemed suitable for the category this year.
However, the actress and filmmaker hinted that the NOSC will be taking more proactive steps to encourage filmmakers to create with the Oscars in mind. Linus also encouraged Nigerian filmmakers to study previous IFF-nominated works to deepen their understanding of the category’s expectations and strengthen future submissions. The NOSC submitted Prince Aboki Daniel’s ‘Mai Matarba’ as Nigeria’s entry in 2024 but the epic feature did not go past the vetting stage.
Eastern Nigeria International Film Festival To Hold During NAFEST 2025
THE 2025 edition of the Eastern Nigeria International Film Festival (ENIFF) will be held to coincide to with the 2025 edition of the National Festival of Arts and Culture, otherwise known as NAFEST. The ENIFF, which is in its 6th edition, is scheduled for November 26 to 29, 2025, with the theme: ‘Reimagine. Rethink. Reframe’. The organisers of ENIFF say they are excited to enter a strategic partnership with the National Council for Arts and Culture Nigeria (NCAC). The 2025 festival coincides with NCAC’s 2025 National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) themed “Connected Culture.” Recognised as Nigeria’s ‘Cultural Olympics’, this week-long celebration features participation from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with over 5,000 cultural competitors expected and audiences of over 100, 000 expected through the week. Director-General of NCAC, Obi Asika, emphasises the importance of the collaboration: “Our partnership with ENIFF epitomises the power of film, as a force and an engine for economic growth.
Together, we are fostering a platform where Nigeria and Africa’s diverse stories can be told, celebrated, and transformed into opportunities for young creatives and the wider community. This collaboration will enable NAFEST competitors to enter films into the ENIFF festival and together we will run masterclasses for aspiring filmmakers with leading Nigerian directors, producers, talents and executives.” ENIFF Festival Director, Ujuaku Akukwe, reflects on the collaboration: “Working with NCAC reinforces our shared commitment to nurturing talent, innovation, and cultural pride. ‘Reimagine. Rethink. Reframe.’ is a call to action for African filmmakers to challenge narratives and pioneer new ways of storytelling that resonate globally.” The collaboration aligns closely with President Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for the creative economy, recognizing the arts and culture sector as a vital contributor to job creation, innovation, and sustainable development in Nigeria.
ENIFF 2025 promises a transformative festival experience with robust programming, including masterclasses, film screenings, and cross-cultural exchanges. The festival will host the prestigious Zushi Film Festival from Japan, led by Yukie Mori, further enhancing international collaboration.
