South Africa’s Oscar Contender: ‘Old Righteous Blues’ Enters the Race for Best International Feature

South Africa has made its pick for the 97th Academy Awards, and it's a powerful one! Muneera Sallies’s music-themed drama 'Old Righteous Blues' is the country’s official contender for the Best International Feature category.
This captivating film follows Hantjie Jansen, played by Ayden Croy, a young man with a passion for his town’s Kerskoor (Christmas choir). Passed over for the prestigious role of drum major due to a decades-old feud, he embarks on a mission to heal the deep divisions within his community through the power of music.
With unforgettable performances and a storyline that tugs at the heartstrings, 'Old Righteous Blues' has made its mark at the Silwerskerm Film Festival in South Africa and beyond, but now it's aiming for the biggest stage of all—the Oscars!
This film could be South Africa's next Oscar triumph, following the legacy of Tsotsi (2005), which won Best International Feature. Will 'Old Righteous Blues' bring home the gold?
Find out when the Oscar shortlist drops on December 17, 2024, and mark your calendars for the final nominations on January 17, 2025!