The Academy dropped the Nigerian comedy for having too much dialogue in English, which violates its rule that requires entries in the international category to have a predominantly non-English dialogue track.
Lionheart, which is Nigeria’s first ever submission to the Oscar, is largely in English, with an 11-minute section in the Igbo language.
The film, which has earned strong reviews and is currently streaming on Netflix, had been scheduled to screen for Academy voters in the international category on Wednesday.
Its disqualification was announced to voters in an email on Monday.
The Director GENEVIEVE NNAJI, who also stars in the film, protested against the disqualification on Twitter saying the film “represents the way they speak as Nigerians.
Top Hollywood director AVA DUVERNAY also tweeted in support of Lionheart asking if the disqualification meant barring Nigeria from ever competing for an Oscars.
