It’s a Wrap: C.J “Fiery” Obasi’s “Mami Wata” Fails to Make Academy Shortlist

Nigeria’s 2024 Academy Awards’ journey has officially end as the critically acclaimed film “Mami Wata” fails to make the shortlist for the International Feature Film (IFF) category.

 

Submitted by the Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) as the country’s official contender for the 96^th Academy Awards, “Mami Wata” in a shocking turn of events did not make the cut. The Academy on Thursday announced shortlists in 10 categories for the 2024 ceremony, one of them being the International Feature Film. The shortlisted films are:

Armenia, “Amerikatsi”

Bhutan, “The Monk And The Gun”

Denmark, “The Promised Land”

Finland, “Fallen Leaves”

France, “The Taste Of Things”

Germany, “The Teachers’ Lounge”

Iceland, “Godland”

Italy, “Io Capitano”

Japan, “Perfect Days”

Mexico, “Totem”

Morocco, “The Mother Of All Lies”

Spain, “Society Of The Snow”

Tunisia, “Four Daughters”

Ukraine, “20 Days In Mariupol”

United Kingdom, “The Zone Of Interest”

 

“Mami Wata” was written and directed by C.J “Fiery” Obasi. Through its black-and-white storytelling technique, it details how peace was taken away from a riverine village thanks to outside elements. Two sisters must fight to restore peace back to the village and restore the pure worship of the water goddess in the hearts of the people.

 

The film has received national and international success since its premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. It won three awards at the festival, won an additional three awards at FESPACO, and picked up a nomination at the 39^th Independent Spirit Awards.