Spotlight on Global Cinema

Academy Unveils List of International Feature Films Eligible for the Upcoming Oscars

By CitiTimes Editorial Desk

The Academy Awards are more than Hollywood’s annual celebration — they are a global stage where diverse voices converge. The International Feature Film category has become a powerful lens into the world’s cultural, political, and artistic landscapes. It is not just about cinema; it’s about understanding how storytelling reflects global identity and influence.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has officially announced the slate of feature films eligible for consideration in the International Feature Film category at the upcoming Academy Awards. This annual reveal marks the start of the Oscar season for global cinema, spotlighting outstanding storytelling and artistic excellence from filmmakers worldwide.

Each year, countries submit their best films for the category, and this newly announced list represents the diversity, creativity, and cultural richness of contemporary filmmaking. The eligible titles proceed to the following stages of the selection process, including shortlisting and final nominations.

The International Feature Film category remains one of the most anticipated sections of the Academy Awards, offering audiences a chance to discover compelling stories and cinematic voices beyond mainstream Hollywood. With this year’s submissions, the global film community once again showcases its ability to inspire, challenge, and captivate viewers across borders.

Official Schedule

The Academy members from all branches have been invited to opt in to participate in the preliminary round of voting. The shortlist of 15 films will be announced on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.

Preliminary voting for select categories of the 98th Academy Awards will begin on Monday, December 8, 2025, and end on Friday, December 12, 2025.

The shortlists for the 98th Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.

Nominations for the 98th Academy Awards will be announced on Thursday, January 22, 2026.

The 98th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be televised live on ABC and in more than 200 territories worldwide.

Films Eligible for Consideration in the International Feature Film Category for the 98th Academy Awards

(Listed in Alphabetical Order by Country or Region)

Albania, “Luna Park”
Argentina, “Belén”
Armenia, “My Armenian Phantoms”
Australia, “The Wolves Always Come at Night”
Austria, “Peacock”
Azerbaijan, “Taghiyev: Oil”
Bangladesh, “A House Named Shahana”
Belgium, “Young Mothers”
Bhutan, “I, the Song”
Bolivia, “The Southern House”
Bosnia and Herzegovina, “Blum: Masters of Their Own Destiny”
Brazil, “The Secret Agent”
Bulgaria, “Tarika”
Canada, “The Things You Kill”
Chile, “The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo”
China, “Dead to Rights”
Colombia, “A Poet”
Costa Rica, “The Altar Boy, the Priest and the Gardener”
Croatia, “Fiume o Morte!”
Czech Republic, “I’m Not Everything I Want to Be”
Denmark, “Mr. Nobody against Putin”
Dominican Republic, “Pepe”
Ecuador, “Chuzalongo”
Egypt, “Happy Birthday”
Estonia, “Rolling Papers”
Finland, “100 Liters of Gold”
France, “It Was Just an Accident”
Georgia, “Panopticon”
Germany, “Sound of Falling”
Greece, “Arcadia”
Greenland, “Walls – Akinni Inuk”
Haiti, “Kidnapping Inc.”
Hong Kong, “The Last Dance”
Hungary, “Orphan”
Iceland, “The Love That Remains”
India, “Homebound”
Indonesia, “Sore: A Wife from the Future”
Iran, “Cause of Death: Unknown”
Iraq, “The President’s Cake”
Ireland, “Sanatorium”
Israel, “The Sea”
Italy, “Familia”
Japan, “Kokuho”
Jordan, “All That’s Left of You”
Kyrgyzstan, “Black Red Yellow”
Latvia, “Dog of God”
Lebanon, “A Sad and Beautiful World”
Lithuania, “The Southern Chronicles”
Luxembourg, “Breathing Underwater”
Madagascar, “Disco Afrika: A Malagasy Story”
Malaysia, “Pavane for an Infant”
Mexico, “We Shall Not Be Moved”
Mongolia, “Silent City Driver”
Montenegro, “The Tower of Strength”
Morocco, “Calle Malaga”
Nepal, “Anjila”
Netherlands, “Reedland”
North Macedonia, “The Tale of Silyan”
Norway, “Sentimental Value”
Palestine, “Palestine 36”
Panama, “Beloved Tropic”
Paraguay, “Under the Flags, the Sun”
Peru, “Kinra”
Philippines, “Magellan”
Poland, “Franz”
Portugal, “Banzo”
Romania, “Traffic”
Saudi Arabia, “Hijra”
Serbia, “Sun Never Again”
Singapore, “Stranger Eyes”
Slovakia, “Father”
Slovenia, “Little Trouble Girls”
South Africa, “The Heart Is a Muscle”
South Korea, “No Other Choice”
Spain, “Sirât”
Sweden, “Eagles of the Republic”
Switzerland, “Late Shift”
Taiwan, “Left-Handed Girl”
Tunisia, “The Voice of Hind Rajab”
Turkey, “One of Those Days When Hemme Dies”
Uganda, “Kimote”
Ukraine, “2000 Meters to Andriivka”
United Kingdom, “My Father’s Shadow”
Uruguay, “Don’t You Let Me Go”
Venezuela, “Alí Primera”
Vietnam, “Red Rain”

A Global Stage for National Pride

Each country submits one film to represent its cinematic voice. This process is both competitive and symbolic:

National committees: Film boards and cultural institutions select the entry, often sparking debate at home.
Cultural diplomacy: A nomination signals recognition of a nation’s creative power.
Global resonance: Films rooted in local realities often strike universal chords, from family bonds to political struggles.

Cinema Beyond Borders

International films prove that storytelling transcends language. Subtitles are not barriers but gateways. Consider the impact:

Japanese dramas: Exploring family and tradition with quiet intensity.
African thrillers: Tackling corruption and resilience with bold narratives.
Latin American documentaries: Preserving memory and confronting history with raw honesty.

These works remind us that cinema is a universal language of empathy.

Oscars as Cultural Diplomacy

Recognition at the Oscars is more than artistic validation — it reshapes global perception.

Parasite’s triumph: South Korea’s historic Best Picture win signaled a shift in cinematic power.
Visibility for smaller industries: Nominations elevate filmmakers from regions often overlooked.
Catalyst for dialogue: Films spark conversations on identity, politics, and history across borders.

Emerging Trends in Global Cinema

The international category is evolving, reflecting both tradition and innovation:

Hybrid storytelling: Documentaries infused with fiction, blurring reality and imagination.
Regional authenticity: Indigenous languages and traditions preserved on screen.
Cross-border collaborations: Co-productions pooling talent and resources across nations.

Why It Matters for Audiences

For viewers, these films are more than entertainment — they are windows into the human condition.

Empathy: Experiencing lives far removed from one’s own.
Understanding: Engaging with cultures beyond headlines.
Connection: Finding shared humanity in diverse narratives.

Closing Insight

The Academy Awards may be rooted in Hollywood, but their embrace of international cinema reflects a broader truth: the future of film is global. The International Feature Film category is not just about who wins — it’s about how cinema continues to unite, challenge, and inspire across borders.