The Federal Authorities has backed the Hausa epic movie Mai Martaba, which the Nigerian Official Choice Committee (NOSC) chosen because the nation’s contender for the Worldwide Characteristic Movie (IFF) class on the Oscars, which holds on 3 March 2025 at Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
Produced and directed by Prince Daniel, Mai Martaba delves into the themes of energy, love, greed, and betrayal in an historic African kingdom that resonates with human experiences. The movie weaves a transformative narrative that defies conventions whereas celebrating feminine management.
Moreover, the movie is about to premiere on 1 December on the Zuma Movie Competition, Nigeria’s premier cinematic occasion, forward of the awards.
Following its Zuma premiere, Mai Martaba will launch a non-public screening tour throughout key cities worldwide, a journey the viewers can take part in as a part of its World Oscar Marketing campaign.
Throughout this tour, the movie might be launched to Academy voting members—a extremely influential viewers comprising movie professionals, business leaders, critics, and media.
These unique viewings goal to safe international consideration and assist for Mai Martaba within the Oscars race.
The Zuma Movie Competition screening begins a sequence of personal showings deliberate for Lagos, the USA, France, Italy, and the UK within the following weeks.
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FG’s assist
Vice President Kashim Shettima, in a press release obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, pledged the FG’s unwavering assist for the movie’s Oscar marketing campaign.
Throughout a gathering with the movie’s group, led by the Minister of Arts, Tradition, Tourism, and Artistic Economic system, Hannatu Musawa, on the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Mr Shettima underscored the importance of the $618 million iDICE initiative. This initiative, aimed toward fostering the expansion of Nigeria’s digital and artistic industries, aligns with the federal government’s dedication to bolstering tasks like Mai Martaba on the worldwide stage. The iDICE initiative is a big step in the direction of making a conducive atmosphere for the expansion of the movie business in Nigeria, offering funding, infrastructure, and assist for filmmakers.
He stated the programme, aimed toward fostering the expansion of Nigeria’s digital and artistic industries, aligns with the federal government’s dedication to bolstering tasks like Mai Martaba on the worldwide stage.
“We’re united in our assist for Mai Martaba, and it is a nationwide effort to showcase Nigerian cinema on the worldwide stage. We’ll make sure that the kaleidoscope representing all our nation’s colors is carried alongside.
“Let’s fuse into one and assist this venture. There’s extra that binds than divides us. Inside the ethnic teams, you don’t know the place the boundaries finish. We’re basically one individuals,” the Vice President said, emphasising nationwide unity by the movie business”, stated the Vice President.
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Moreover, Mr Shettima urged Ms Musawa to spearhead the marketing campaign and mobilise all assets to safe Nigeria’s success on the Oscars.
“By the top of the century, Nigeria would be the most populous nation on earth. There’s magnificence in numbers. I need to reiterate my steadfast assist for us to get the Oscars”, he added.
Minister speaks
Minister Musawa expressed her enthusiasm for the movie’s potential, emphasising that the Oscar marketing campaign will not be solely about securing a win however positioning Nigeria on the forefront of world filmmaking.
“This can be a distinctive alternative to broaden the visibility of Nigerian movies worldwide and safe the way forward for our artistic financial system,” she said.
She highlighted that the ministry collaborates with buyers and is devoted to creating the artistic business.
She additional said that the ministry has finalised co-production agreements with South Korea, the UK, Japan, China, and France.
“We hopefully can have a media metropolis, which might be a one-stop store for 9 sectors throughout the business. The world is eager about Nigeria – not due to our oil, however due to our expertise, content material, and creativity.”
Highlighting funding challenges, Ms Musawa stated many individuals within the artistic business want extra infrastructure to provide first-class films. These challenges embody restricted entry to state-of-the-art tools, insufficient funding for large-scale productions, and extra supportive insurance policies and laws. Overcoming these challenges is essential for the business’s progress and the flexibility to provide high-quality, globally aggressive movies.
She pressured that Nigerians can create content material utilizing their telephones no matter location—even in rural areas —empowering themselves for promising job alternatives.
In the meantime, the movie’s director, Prince Daniel, shared his pleasure concerning the upcoming premiere, underscoring the film’s potential to resonate globally.
“That is only the start. We’re dedicated to showcasing Nigeria and Africa’s immense expertise and creativity. The Zuma Movie Competition is the proper platform to introduce the world to our story,” Mr Daniel stated.
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