Veteran Nollywood actress Genevieve Nnaji is overjoyed as her movie Lionheart has been nominated for the 2020 Oscars in the Best International Film category. This marks a significant milestone for Nigerian cinema, as it is the country’s first-ever submission for the prestigious Academy Awards.

In response to the nomination, Nnaji took to Instagram to express her excitement and gratitude, saying, “The Nigerian Oscar Selection Committee has chosen Lionheart 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 part of such a pivotal moment in Nigerian cinema history.”

The Nigerian Oscars Selection Committee (NOSC) announced the selection on Wednesday after a thorough vetting and voting process. Produced by Chinny Onwugbenu and directed by Genevieve Nnaji, Lionheart has already made waves in the industry. The film premiered at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and was later acquired by Netflix, becoming the first Netflix original film produced in Nigeria.

Nnaji thanked her fans and the Lionheart team for their support, stating, “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 so far.”

This nomination is expected to pave the way for more Nigerian films to be recognized on the global stage.