The Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) has selected Damilola Orimogunje’s ‘Dear Ajayi’ as Nigeria’s official entry for Best International Feature Film at the 99th Academy Awards.
NOSC announced the decision on Sunday after reviewing entries submitted between August 1 and 31. The film will now be presented to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences ahead of the Oscars scheduled for March 14, 2027.
Set in 1990s southwestern Nigeria, ‘Dear Ajayi’ follows two estranged sisters, Ade and Titi Ajayi, forced to live together while caring for their paralysed mother. The sisters are played by Bimbo Akintola and Tosin Adeyemi.
The film made history in September as the first Nigerian production selected in competition for Giornate degli Autori (Venice Days) at the Venice Film Festival, where it had its world premiere and won two awards – the UNESCO Fellini Medal and Bisato d’Oro for Best Cast.
NOSC Chairperson Stephanie Linus congratulated the team: “We look forward to presenting the film for the Academy’s consideration and wish the team every success in the next stage.”
The selection marks Nigeria’s return to the Oscars race after no submission for the 98th edition in 2025.
The entry does not guarantee a nomination. The Academy will determine a 15-film shortlist before selecting five nominees.
‘Dear Ajayi’ is a Nigerian-German co-production by 2o9ine Films and Mayana Films and will be released widely in Nigerian cinemas on November 13.
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