The Nigerian Academy Awards selection committee has removed Kunle Afolayan’s recently released film, “Anikulapo,” from the list of nominees for the Oscars.
The Nigerian actor and producer shared his dissatisfaction with the news on social media while also announcing the development.
Kunle Afolayan said, “I am so pleased and delighted that the whole world has decided to tag ANIKULAPO film “a masterpiece “even though the Nigeria Oscar selection committee think it’s not worth submitting for the Oscars. Will keep doing my own thing”.
Despite the wonderful reviews Anikulapo has gotten all around the world since its premiere, the Academy Awards do not think it merits being nominated.
The King’s Horseman, Elesin Oba, and King of Thieves were among the three Yoruba-language entries received by Nigeria’s Oscar selection committee, which made the announcement last month.
All three films were deemed “ineligible” by the majority of the selection committee members, who decided that they would not be entered into the competition.
The film was created and shot by Jonathan Kovel at the recently opened KAP resort in a village in Oyo State. Afolayan has teamed with Netflix.
The Oscars are given to films that exhibit artistic and technical excellence in the American and international film industries.
The honour is recognised as the most prestigious and noteworthy accomplishment in the global entertainment sector.
Since then, the news has angered a lot of Nigerians and even followers worldwide.
@Oginni_olu; Kunle built a whole village for the movie. Used best actors, the storyline was straight and clean.. yet wasn’t considered Oscar-worthy? Haba… what are the criteria really?
@Theresthat_; This is huge! You don’t need any committee’s validation or recognition. You did great work and viewers around the world love it thoroughly. That’s the real recognition. That’s all that matters! It’s my film of the year and I don’t even understand Yoruba
@betty_ekems; Why do they think it’s not worthy of being selected for the Oscars? Who is this body? We need to call them out. This is the best indigenous movie we’ve seen in a long time
@oluwatitofolabi; I wish members of that committee can be interviewed and let them explain why a movie like this is not Oscars-worthy. I still can’t believe it was rejected for a good reason.
@Cielthewind; Nigeria destroys her best and its a shame
@kingafricana1; Fuck the Oscars.. That movie is world-class.
@kennytheultra; To hell with all the Nigeria Oscar selection committee..this is a top-notch movie to hell with them once one