These African Films Are Vying for Nominations at the 2025 Oscars
Nine African countries have submitted official selections to be considered in the Best International Feature Film category at next year's Oscars. The list of African films on the85-film longlist includes selections from Algeria, Nigeria, Kenya, Morocco, Tunisia, Cameroon, Senegal, South Africa and Egypt.
No African film made it to the final nominations list at the last Oscars, and only two were considered in the 15-film shortlist. Throughout this decade, Tunisian filmmaker Kaouthar Ben Hania'sThe Man Who Sold His Skin is the only African film to receive a nomination in this category. The last time an African film won an award was in 2005 when the South African classic Tsotsi took home the Oscar, which was then referred to as Best Foreign Language Film.
Africa's representation at the Oscars has been quite limited in recent years. The disqualification of Genevieve Nnaji's film "Lionheart," which was ruled ineligible due to its heavy use of English dialogue,sparked controversy that still resonates each Oscar season. Many African films thatseem deserving often fail to reach the later stages of consideration.
However, several African film professionals wereinvited to join the Oscar Academy, which could improve the chances of African films getting more recognition ahead of and during one of the biggest film awards ceremonies.
Two African films were nominated for Best Documentary Feature last time: Ben Hania's inventive docu-dramaFour Daughters andBobi Wine: The People's President, which captures the trials of Ugandan musician and opposition leader Bobi Wine. Perhaps there could be a repeat next year in the same category: Johan Grimonprez'sSoundtrack to a Coup D'Etat, a masterful detailing of the origin of the Congo Crisis, and Tara Moore'sLegacy - The De-Colonized History of South Africa are on thelonglist for Best Documentary Feature.
Here are the African films submitted ahead of the 15-film shortlist announcement on December 17.
Algeria: ‘Algiers’ - Chakib Taleb-Bendiab
In Chakib Taleb-Bendiab's mystery thriller, Algiers, the kidnapping of a little girl puts the Algerian capital city on high alert. Teaming up with a police inspector and psychiatrist, Dr. Dounia Assam (Meriem Medjkane), unravels the mysterious disappearance and its connection to the city's past. Algiers premiered at the Rhode Island Film Festival in August, where itwon the Grand Prix Award.
Cameroon: ‘Kismet’ - Ngang Romanus
Based on a true-life story, Kismet follows Wambo (Nora Lum), a Christian lady who defies societal norms and falls in love with a Muslim man, Ibrahim (Nsoh Piapense). Their romance grows amidst the backdrop of communal tension, land disputes and an already arranged marriage, which leads to Wambo acting as a mediator between sides of her community that don't always see eye to eye.
Egypt: 'Flight 404' - Mona Zaki
Days before she leaves for her pilgrimage to The Holy Land, Ghada (Mona Zaki) is faced with the urgent need to find substantial money for her mother's emergency surgery. Despite her commitment to being a devout Muslim, Ghada has to reach back to her less-than-ideal past to take care of the sudden bill. Flight 404 was a box office hit in Egypt and some countries across the Middle East and North Africa, and it also enjoyed atheatrical release in Europe and the U.S.
Kenya: ‘Nawi’ - Apuu Mourine, Vallentine Chelluget, Tobias Schmutzler, Kevin Schmutzler
At the recent Africa Movie Academy Awards, Nawi was nominated in four categories, including cinematography and editing nods. Michelle Lemuya, who plays the titular role, won the Best Young/Promising Actor award. In the film, 13-year-old Nawi fights for her dream to continue her education, refusing to accept her father's arrangement to sell her off to a much older man for a herd of goats.
Morocco: 'Everybody Loves Touda' - Nabil Ayouch
Screenshot from the trailer for 'Everybody Loves Touda.'
For the third time, Nabil Ayouch is the filmmaker behind Morocco's submission to the Oscars. Premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, Everybody Loves Touda, similar to his 2021 film Casablanca Beats, is primarily defined by its relationship with music. Touda (Nisrin Erradi) is a young singer with dreams of becoming a folk music star, and she's also keen on making enough money to send her deaf and mute son to a special needs school, so she moves to Casablanca in the hopes of becoming a big city star.
Nigeria: ‘Mai Martaba’ - Prince Daniel Aboki
Kannywood, a subsect of Nollywood in Northern Nigeria, has spawned its second Oscar selection of the decade with Mai Martaba. Directed by veteran filmmaker and broadcaster Prince Daniel, the film isa spin-off of the popular radio drama series Kasa Jallaba. It features a large cast and was filmed in Daura, Katsina State. Set in colonial times, Mai Martaba delves into the rise of the Jallabawa clan following the collapse of the powerful Agadashawa ruling clan and the crisis that ensued after a princess was named heir to the throne.
Senegal: 'Dahomey' - Mati Diop
Mati Diop has continued to distinguish herself as an excellent filmmaker. In February, the Senegalese French filmmaker became thefirst Black director to win the Golden Bear, the award for the Best Award at the Berlin Film Festival. The awarded film Dahomey follows the return of 26 treasures to Cotonou, the capital of the Benin Republic. It makes a socially relevant statement about the need for restitution from former colonial powers. The narrative is partly told from the perspective of a looted artifact and captures the celebration that erupted in Cotonou upon the arrival of these treasures.
South Africa: 'Old Righteous Blues' - Muneera Sallies
Set in South Africa's Western Cape province, Old Righteous Blues follows Hantjie (Ayden Croy), a Christmas choir member who wants to be the drum major for his choir and restore the group to its former glory. He faces opposition from older members, and his ambitions are further complicated by his feelings for Risi (Megan Saayman), the daughter of the leader of a rival choir. It's a romance-themed film that also spotlights the cultural significance of Christmas choirs in the Western Cape.
Tunisia: 'Take My Breath'- Nada Mezni Hafaiedh
Winner of theJury Award at the Rotterdam Arab Film Festival, Take My Breath stars Amina Ben Ismail as 23-year-old seamstress Shams, who's spent all her life hiding her intersex identity. When that secret is exposed, she loses her true love and is rejected by society. Shams takes refuge with her lover's mystique cousin and undergoes a personal journey to understand her complex identity fully.
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