Why "Elesin Oba" and "Anikulapo" Failed To Be Submitted For the Best International Feature Film Category of the 95th Annual Academy Awards

Why "Elesin Oba" and "Anikulapo" Failed To Be Submitted For the Best International Feature Film  Category of the 95th Annual Academy Awards

Only Biyi Bandele’s film ‘Elesin Oba’ or Kunle Afolayan’s ‘Anikulapo’ would have been eligible as Nigeria's submission for the Best Internationall Feature Film  category of the 95th annual Academy Awards, but being released on Netflix and not for theatrical release caused the rejection. Because, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) reverted back to the status quo of the pre COVID-19 pandemic rules.

After two pandemic years in which Netflix, Apple, Amazon, Hulu, and other streamers could qualify their films just on streaming platforms, the party is over.

The Motion Picture Academy has decreed that only movies that play in theaters will be eligible for the gold statues.

Academy Awards of Merit shall be given annually to honor outstanding artistic and scientific achievements in theatrically released feature-length motion pictures, and to honor other achievements as provided for in these rules and approved by the Board of Governors.

Films that, in any version, receive their first public exhibition or distribution in any manner other than as a theatrical motion picture release will not be eligible for Academy Awards in any category.

Nontheatrical public exhibition or distribution includes but is not limited to:

• Broadcast and cable television

• PPV/VOD

• DVD distribution

• Inflight airline distribution

• Internet transmission

 https://www.showbiz411.com/2022/05/18/oscars-eligibility-for-2023-shuts-out-streaming-debuts-theaters-only-rule-returns#google_vignette

There was no need for any controversy. 

A simple clarification would have been enough.

Video is not Cinema.

Video can never be like Cinema.

I prefer cinema to video.

Where there is no gra-gra

There will be no brouhaha.