Earlier last week, one of our most admired Nollywood stars Genevieve Nnaji and 818
other actors, directors, and film editors were invited by The Academy (Oscar) which
gives them the rights to vote at the most prestigious movie award show in the world.
In case you don’t know, this Genevieve Nnaji Oscar Invite is a very big deal!
Film Producer, actress, director and an all around creative, Genevieve Nnaji has been
recognised for her accomplishments and milestones in Nollywood and also internationally. Her directorial debut with Lionheart made history of being the first Nigerian original film on Netflix and some would agree that this debut made for the recognition of multi talents in Nigeria entertainment.
It is important to note that her film Lionheart earned Genevieve Nnaji Oscar nomination in the category of Best International Feature Film, but got disqualified because it was English and not a local language. This recognition is still, however a win for Genevieve and the entire country at large.
Other Nigerian Actors and Filmmakers that have made the list in the past include
Omotola-Jalade Ekeinde, Femi Odugbemi, Wunmi Mosaku and Ngozi Onwurah, who
were all invited as members of the Oscars voting body in 2018.
The 93rd Oscars initially scheduled to hold in February 2021, was recently rescheduled
to April 25th, 2021 because of the pandemic. The Academy in their announcement said:
“The Academy is delighted to welcome these distinguished fellow travelers in the motion
picture arts and sciences. We have always embraced extraordinary talent that reflects
the rich variety of our global film community, and never more so than now”- David Rubin,
The Academy President.
Alongside Genevieve Nnaji, notable names like Akin Omotoso, the Film Director and Writer, who was recently unveiled as one of the Filmmakers on Netflix first original Nigerian 6 part
series. Other recognisable names include Akwafina- Crazy Rich Asians, Constance WuHustlers- Crazy Rich Asians, Zendaya Coleman- The Greatest Showman, Spider-Man: Far From Home, Niecy Nash- Selma and Eva Longoria- Overboard.
A warm congratulations to all the actors, filmmakers, directors and movie experts that were invited by The Academy and to Nollywood’s leading creatives Genevieve Nnaji and Akin
Omotoso for bringing our lives and stories alive through their work.
