Nigeria C.J Obasi’s ‘Mami Wata’ Misses Out At Oscars

Nigeria and C.J Obasi’s ‘Mami Wata’ misses out on a spot in the 2024 Oscars shortlist.

Despite being Nigeria’s official submission for the International Feature Film (IFF) category at the 96th Academy Awards, the film didn’t make the cut.

C.J. Obasi, the writer and director of ‘Mami Wata,’ crafted a reimagination of West African folklore, celebrating the mythology of a mermaid deity and exploring themes of womanhood.

The film was shot in the Republic of Benin, and it unfolds the tale of a seaside community forced to reevaluate its beliefs when a stranger washes ashore, disrupting its harmony.

After it’s selection as Nigeria’s entry, C.j Obasi had said; “It felt great. I think we definitely deserve it, and everyone worked so hard on this film and bled so much for it,” Obasi told Al Jazeera. “It’s always a big deal when you get what you deserve here. I never take it for granted just because I deserve it. I’m super grateful to the Nigerian Oscar selection committee.”

While ‘Mami Wata’ may not be on the Oscars shortlist, it has left its mark with a Special Jury Award at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival for its captivating black-and-white cinematography.

It has also gained attention the international scene, Mami Wata has already been a hit, screening in at least 15 festivals globally. In 2021, it made the final cut in the 78th Venice International Film Festival in 2021. In January 2023, Mami Wata had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival and won the Special Jury Prize for Cinematography.

The film is a beautiful portrayal of cultural mythology, which had successes in theatrical releases in Nigeria and beyond.

As the anticipation builds for the 96th Oscars on March 10, 2024, this setback echoes Nigeria’s previous experiences. ‘LionHeart’ in 2019 and ‘The Milkmaid’ for the 93rd Oscars also faced challenges in making the IFF shortlist.

Regardless, ‘Mami Wata’ stands as a testament to Nigeria’s vibrant storytelling, bringing folklore to life on the international stage.