Stephanie Okereke-Linus emerges Chairperson of Oscars Selection Committee

Renowned Nollywood actress Stephanie Linus has been appointed as the new chairperson of the Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) responsible for the Best International Feature Film category at the esteemed Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars.

This appointment follows the official resignation of the founder of NOSC, Chineze Anyaene-Abonyi. Hours after Anyaene-Abonyi’s stepping down, NOSC announced Stephanie Linus as her successor, marking a significant transition in the committee’s leadership.

The change in leadership comes as NOSC secured the re-approval of the Oscars for its role in the upcoming 96th edition of the Academy Awards, scheduled for 2024.

The revamping of NOSC was prompted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) following the exit of the previous chairperson. The newly restructured 14-member NOSC team, approved by AMPAS, includes notable individuals from the Nigerian film industry. The team comprises Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC); veteran Nollywood actress Omotola Jolade-Ekeinde; Dr. Victor Okhai, President of the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN); Mr. Andy Amenechi, former President of DGN; theater practitioner Yibo Koko; writer/director Izu Ojukwu, and others.