Academy Awards

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, which portrays the displacement of Palestinian communities in the West Bank, is facing significant opposition in the United States, reigniting debates over censorship and freedom of expression.

Co-directed by Palestinian activist Basel Adra and Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham, the film documents the Israeli military’s demolition of Palestinian villages to establish a military training zone. 

The documentary has gained critical acclaim worldwide, winning the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature at the 97th Oscars.

However, the film has struggled to secure mainstream U.S. distribution, with several screenings facing backlash. In Miami Beach, Mayor Steven Meiner called the documentary “one-sided propaganda” and “antisemitic,” pushing to terminate the lease and withdraw funding from O Cinema, an independent theater that screened the film. His actions have drawn criticism from civil rights groups, who argue that this amounts to censorship and an attack on free speech.

Yuval Abraham has condemned these efforts, calling them “very dangerous” and warning that accusations of antisemitism should not be used to silence criticism of occupation policies. 

Despite the controversy, O Cinema went ahead with its screenings, resulting in sold-out shows and additional dates being added.

The situation has sparked a broader conversation about the portrayal of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Western media and the limits of artistic expression. 

As the debate continues, No Other Land has become a focal point in discussions on censorship, free speech, and the complexities of Middle Eastern geopolitics.

By Habibu Maaruf Abdu

Nigeria has selected the Kannywood film ‘Mai Martaba’ as its official submission for the Best International Feature Film (IIF) category at the 97th Academy Awards, also known as Oscars.

The 15-member Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) confirmed in its official statement that the selection was made after a rigorous voting session.

Mai Martaba is a historical epic featuring 500 actors that showcases northern Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage. It tells the story of the succession struggle between competing claimants for the throne of the fictitious Jallaba Kingdom.

Reacting to the selection, the film’s director, Prince Daniel Aboki, expressed his delight, adding, “It is a privilege to represent our country at this prestigious global event.” 

He added, “Mai Martaba is more than just a story; it’s a celebration of our culture, struggles, and triumphs as Nigerians. We’re bringing the voices and stories of our people to the global stage, sharing the heart of Nigeria with the world.” 

The film, which stands as the most expensive Kannywood production, was also selected for the Septimus Awards in Amsterdam before its theatrical release in Nigeria in July 2024.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), which organises the Oscars, confers the IFF Award yearly to a feature-length film produced outside the US with at least 50% non-English dialogue.

A shortlist of 15 finalists will be revealed on December 17, 2024, followed by the announcement of the final five nominees on January 17, 2025.

This marks the second time a Hausa film has been selected for the Oscars, following The Milkmaid (directed by Ovbiagele, 2020).

However, unlike The Milkmaid, whose Kannywood identity is disputed, Mai Martaba is a bona fide Kannywood production, proudly representing the Hausa film industry’s cinematic talent.

The 97th Oscars will be held on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Ovation Hollywood, Los Angeles, and will be broadcast live to over 200 territories worldwide.