The film which explores family, identity and political unrest has been released theatrically in over 10 territories, including Madagascar, France, the UK, Kenya, and West Africa.
Madagascar Submits First-Ever Oscar Entry with “Disco Afrika: A Malagasy Story”
Madagascar has made history by submitting Luck Razanajaona’s Disco Afrika: A Malagasy Story as its first-ever entry to the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards.
The announcement comes weeks after Nigeria declared it would not be submitting any films to the awards, with Stephanie Linus of the National Official Selection Committee (NOSC) citing shortcomings in creative and technical execution.
According to Deadline, the submission arrives amid significant political upheaval in Madagascar. The Malagasy Cinema, the committee responsible for choosing the country’s Oscar submission, officially selected Disco Afrika: A Malagasy Story, marking Madagascar’s first entry to the Best International Feature Film category.
The timely film, which world premiered in the Berlinale’s Generation 14plus section in 2024, is set in contemporary Madagascar and follows 20-year-old Kwame as he struggles to make a living in clandestine sapphire mines. When an unexpected event brings him back to his hometown, he reunites with his mother and old friends but also confronts the corruption plaguing his country, triggering a political awakening.
Since its Berlinale debut, the film has screened at more than 60 festivals worldwide and has been released theatrically in over 10 territories, including Madagascar, France, the UK, Kenya, and West Africa. The film is produced by We Films in coproduction with Africamadavibe, NiKo Films, Caméléon Production, and Free Women Films, with Parista Sambo serving as producer.
The cast includes Laurette Ramasinjanahary, Joe Lerova, Drwina Razafimahaleo, and Jérôme Oza.