Each year at the Oscars, the award for Best International Feature is awarded to a film created in a country besides the United States. Although countries can submit any film they wish for awards, they are only allowed to submit one film each for the Best International Feature award. Last year, the Oscar went to Brazil with I’m Still Here. The other nominees included Denmark’s The Girl With the Needle, France’s Emilia Pérez, Germany’s The Seed of the Sacred Fig and Latvia’s Flow.
The submissions for the 2026 Oscars have just been announced, so here are some of the highlights. Coming off last year’s win, Brazil has submitted yet another buzz-worthy film, this time being The Secret Agent. The film follows a former teacher in the 1940s who must evade capture from the Brazilian military dictatorship while trying to connect with his family. It won the awards for Best Actor and Best Director when it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Neon holds the rights to release the film in North America.
Germany has selected Sound of Falling as their submission. The film follows the lives and hardships of four generations of women, all connected by the same farm in Germany. The film won the Jury Prize at Cannes. Mubi has the North American distribution rights for the film.
All That’s Left of You has been selected by Jordan, and recounts the story of a multi-generational Palestinian family. It is loosely based on the director, Cherien Dabis’ own experiences, and is ignited at a protest when a young teenager encounters Israeli soldiers.
Norway has selected Sentimental Value as its submission. The film follows an aging filmmaker who wishes to cast his daughter in a role written for her, but their estranged relationship puts a damper on the scenario. He decides to cast someone else in the role, and the film explores the ways that this new, American actress throws a wrench in their already rocky relationship. The film stars Stellan Skarsgård, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas and Elle Fanning, and is directed by Joachim Trier, who previously directed The Worst Person in the World. Sentimental Value was the runner-up for the Palme d’or.
South Korea submitted No Other Choice, the latest film from esteemed director Park Chan-wook. The film garnered lots of attention at its premiere in Venice, with the lead actor Lee Byung-hun (Squid Game) being a highlight. The film follows a man who loses his job and must take matters into his own hands by eliminating his competition. Park Chan-wook has directed acclaimed films such as Oldboy and Decision to Leave, so expect this to be in the conversation.
Finally, Latvia submitted Dog of God for its choice. Coming off the success of Flow last year, the country has chosen to submit another animated film for the category. The film is more adult-oriented than Flow, in which a woman put on a witch trial reveals a werewolf.
Keep an eye out for these films in the coming month. Only five films will be nominated for the award, but a good handful already have distribution in North America. Be sure to check them out as they hit theaters this fall and winter.
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