Can Will Smith’s 'Emancipation' overcome the Slap incident to receive Oscar nominations?

While Will Smith is banned from attending all Oscar events for the next 10 years, he could still receive nominations. Photo: AFP

Will Smith has described working on his new movie Emancipation as "the hardest film of my career”.

Smith is the lead actor and producer of the film which tells the story an enslaved man making a daring escape after hearing whispers that US President Abraham Lincoln has proclaimed that all slaves shall be free.