FILM SELECTION PROCESS

INTRODUCTION

he Nigerian Official Selection Committee administers Nigeria’s national selection process for the International Feature Film Award.

The process is designed to ensure that films are received, reviewed, evaluated and selected in accordance with the applicable rules and the NOSC’s established procedures.

Nigeria may select no more than one film as its official submission through the country or region selection pathway.

STEP 1: PUBLIC CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

The NOSC issues a public call inviting eligible filmmakers, producers, production companies and authorised rights holders to submit films for consideration.

The call may be announced through:

the NOSC website;
official NOSC social media channels;
press and media;
film industry organisations and guilds;
industry forums and events; and
other appropriate public communication channels.

The official call will state:

the submission opening date;
the NOSC submission deadline;
the applicable awards year;
the eligibility requirements;
the required submission materials; and
the official submission method.

STEP 2: SUBMISSION

Films must be submitted through the official NOSC submission process by the stated deadline.

The authorised submitter is responsible for ensuring that:

the submission is complete;
all information is current and accurate;
all required materials are provided;
the secure viewing link remains accessible; and
requests for clarification are answered promptly.

Late or materially incomplete submissions may not proceed.

STEP 3: ELIGIBILITY AND COMPLETENESS REVIEW

Submitted films and supporting materials are reviewed to determine whether:

the required information has been provided;
the submission is sufficiently complete; and
the film satisfies the applicable eligibility requirements.

The review may consider:

feature length;
country or countries of production;
language;
qualifying theatrical release;
release and distribution history;
creative control;
production and co-production information;
key creative personnel;
technical and language materials; and
other applicable requirements under Rule Sixteen.

The NOSC may request:

clarification;
corrections;
replacement materials; or
additional documentation.

A request for additional information does not mean that a film has been selected.

STEP 4: VIEWING OF ELIGIBLE FILMS

Films that proceed through the eligibility and completeness review are made available to the Selection Committee.

Committee members must view all films proceeding to the selection stage in accordance with the NOSC’s procedures.

Films may be viewed through:

secure digital screening platforms; or
designated physical screenings.

Committee members are expected to consider each film independently and professionally.

STEP 5: EVALUATION

The Committee considers eligible films as complete works of cinema.

Evaluation may take into account:

storytelling;
direction;
performances;
cinematography;
editing;
production design;
sound;
music;
technical execution;
originality;
overall artistic achievement; and
the film’s strength as a complete work.

IMPORTANT

Eligibility and artistic evaluation are not the same thing.

A film must satisfy the applicable eligibility requirements before proceeding through the final selection process.

STEP 6: COMMITTEE DISCUSSION

Following the required viewing process, Committee members participate in a structured professional discussion of the eligible films.

The purpose is to allow members to:

exchange professional observations;
examine the strengths and weaknesses of the films;
consider the films in depth; and
make informed individual decisions before voting.

Committee members must not:

lobby for votes;
offer or accept inducements;
improperly pressure another member;
engage in vote trading; or
disclose confidential Committee proceedings.

Each member remains responsible for their own independent judgment.

STEP 7: CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND RECUSAL

Committee members must disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest involving a submitted film.

Where recusal is required, the affected member must not participate in the relevant:

viewing;
discussion;
evaluation; or
voting process.

STEP 8: OPEN BALLOT

The NOSC uses an open ballot system.

Each eligible participating Committee member has one vote during the ordinary ballot.

The Chairperson also has one vote during the ordinary ballot. Each member must provide a brief professional reason for their choice.

The eligible film receiving the highest number of valid votes is selected as Nigeria’s official submission, subject to completion of the applicable submission requirements.

STEP 9: VERIFICATION OF THE RESULT

Votes are counted, recorded and verified in accordance with the NOSC’s procedures.

If two or more films receive the same highest number of votes, the predetermined tie-breaking procedure applies.

Under that procedure, the Chairperson exercises a casting vote between only the tied films.

Once the result has been verified and formally recorded, the outcome is final.

STEP 10: CONFIDENTIALITY AND ANNOUNCEMENT

The outcome remains confidential until the NOSC issues its official public announcement.

Committee members must not disclose:

the selected film;
the voting outcome;
individual voting choices;
confidential Committee discussions; or
other non-public information concerning the selection process before the official announcement.

STEP 11: SUBMISSION OF THE SELECTED FILM

Following the official selection, the NOSC works with the film’s authorised representatives to complete the required submission to the Academy.

The selected film must cooperate promptly with requests concerning:

submission forms;
credits;
theatrical-release evidence;
digital film assets;
subtitles;
closed captions;
artwork;
technical materials; and
other required information.

IMPORTANT DISTINCTION

Selection by the NOSC means that a film has been chosen as Nigeria’s official submission through the country or region selection pathway.

It does not mean that the film has been nominated for an Academy Award®.

The film must proceed through the applicable Academy eligibility, voting and nomination process.