The Academy announced short lists in 10 categories today including International Feature. Here are the 15 films that are moving on to the final voting: The films, listed in alphabetical order by country, are:
Argentina, Belén
Brazil, The Secret Agent
France, It Was Just an Accident
Germany, Sound of Falling
India, Homebound
Iraq, The President’s Cake
Japan, Kokuho
Jordan, All That’s Left of You
Norway, Sentimental Value
Palestine, Palestine 36
South Korea, No Other Choice
Spain, Sirât
Switzerland, Late Shift
Taiwan, Left-Handed Girl
Tunisia, The Voice of Hind Rajab
The Academy has spoken and, while a number of truly worthy films like Italy’s Familia, China’s Dead to Rights, Hungary’s Orphan, Canada’s The Things You Kill, Austria’s Peacock and Georgia’s Panopticon–were not on the list, they did select Kokuho, Homebound and Late Shift, three truly worthy submissions that weren’t necessarily in the constant conversation.
The omission of UK’s My Father’s Shadow and Ukraine’s 2000 Meters to Andriivka were the two shockers. The good news for the latter is that it is on the Documentary Feature short list. Denmark’s Mr. Nobody against Putin, also made the Doc short list
The inclusion of Jordan’s All That’s Left of You and Palestine’s Palestine’s 36 were not surprising, but feel more like political votes than merited choices.
Three of the five countries nominated last year and the year before, France, Brazil and Germany, are, once again, in competition.
According to most prognosticators (and myself), the predicted five are France, Brazil, Norway, South Korea and Tunisia. Whether any other country can break through that very strong group remains to be seen, but there is usually– at least– one surprise in this category come Oscar nominations morning.
And the inclusion of Sirât on FOUR other short lists, Casting, Cinematography, Sound and Original Score proves there is much love for this masterwork and it might just make the final five.
In addition, Sentimental Value was named on the Casting and Cinematography short lists, The Secret Agent made the Casting 10. Sound of Falling was included in Cinematography. And Kokuho will be vying for Makeup and Hairstyling.
Interesting to note that Neon released five of the 15 shortlisted titles, The Secret Agent, It Was Just an Accident, Sentimental Value, No Other Choice and Sirât.
Also, seven of the shortlisted films are directed by women, Belén, Sound of Falling, All That’s Left of You, Palestine 36, Late Shift, Left-Handed Girl and The Voice of Hind Rajab.
I cannot stress enough that nominations in this category should be set at 10.
This year I was able to see 85 of the 86 films in consideration. You can view my analysis of all 85 films HERE.
Nominations for the 98th Academy Awards will be announced on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
Predicted Final Five
Brazil, The Secret Agent
France, It Was Just an Accident
Norway, Sentimental Value
South Korea, No Other Choice
Tunisia, The Voice of Hind Rajab
Watch out for: Spain, Sirât
Preferred Final Five
Brazil, The Secret Agent
India, Homebound
Japan, Kokuho
Norway, Sentimental Value
Spain, Sirât
Runner-up: Tunisia, The Voice of Hind Rajab
Fifteen films will advance to the next round of voting in the International Feature Film category for the 98th Academy Awards. Films from 86 countries or regions were eligible in the category.
Academy members from all branches were invited to participate in the preliminary round of voting and must have met a minimum viewing requirement to be eligible to vote in the category.
In the nominations round, Academy members from all branches are invited to opt in to participate and must view all 15 shortlisted films to vote.
