Genevieve Nnaji’s ‘Lionheart’ Gets Oscar Nomination Submission

Nollywood movie Lion Heart has been selected by The Nigerian Oscar Selection Committee to represent the country at the 2020 Academy Awards for Best International Film.

The news was shared by Nollywood veteran actress Genevieve Nnaji, who directed and starred in the movie.

In an Instagram post, the movie star said the entry is the first-ever for Nigeria and that it was a pivotal moment in the history of Nigerian cinema. She thanked the team behind the movie’s production, expressing her gratitude for the recognition.

View this post on Instagram

The Nigerian Oscar Selection Committee has chosen @lionheartthemovie to represent Nigeria for the 2020 Academy Award for Best International Film! This is the first entry ever for Nigeria. It’s an honor to be a part of such a pivotal moment in the history of Nigerian cinema. A moment we know will be replicated as our stories continue to resonate with audiences around the world. On behalf of the entire LIONHEART team and TEN Productions, we are grateful for this recognition and proud to carry the torch. Thank you all for the love and support thus far. ❤️????????

A post shared by Genevieve Nnaji (@genevievennaji) on Oct 2, 2019 at 7:12pm PDT

Lion Heart stars Genevieve Nnaji as a woman who has to step up to run her father’s company when he steps down due to health issues. She ends up becoming a better person and learns some valuable lessons along the way.

The movie was acquired by Netflix on September 7, 2018, making it the first Netflix original film produced in Nigeria. It was a critical and commercial success.