The Sundance Festival award-winning film “Mami Wata” has been nominated by the Nigerian Oscar Selection Committee (NOSC) to compete in the 96th Academy Awards’ International Feature Film (IFF) category.

Movie enthusiasts and the Nigerian film industry have already overwhelmingly endorsed the selection.

The movie Director, C.J ‘Fiery‘ Obasi described the film’s Oscars journey as key for Nigeria’s perception on the global scene in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja.

He said:  “It is significant for what it symbolises as far as how we want to be represented, perceived and the images we want to put out of ourselves, our stories and tradition to the rest of the world.

“It is the beginning of a new conversation, and a call to arms and support for all who dream and aspire for a new narrative around us, and around our stories.

“This is cinema, but this transcends cinema. This is a fight for our identity, and a seeking of meaning and balance, in a world where chaos and confusion increasingly thrives,” he added.

NAN reports that the movie, which had its theatrical releases in Nigeria and other countries, won the Special Jury Award at the Sundance Film Festival 2023 for its vivid black-and-white cinematography.

The black-and-white film showcase the story of a West African goddess and her diminishing influence in a struggling village, depicted with striking poignancy in a captivating black and white visual palette.

Obasi’s “Mami Wata” as its contender for the International Feature Film category of the 2024 Oscars, which will be announced on March 10, 2024.