#Oscars2025 International Feature Film Shorlists

Yesterday, December 16, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) announced the shortlist for the International Feature Film category and most films in the shortlist of fifteen (15) were expected by industry pundits and me. Still, there are some surprises and snubs that call my attention.

Best positive surprise is the inclusion of US born Cherien Dabis film as I really enjoy her films and also Iraq's The President's Cake. But biggest surprise it to find the many (7 out of 15) films by female directors!!! Very noticeable is the fact that 9 out 15 films come from Cannes Film festival.

Most notable snubs are Colombia's A Poet, UK's My Father's Shadow (has collected some independent awards accolades), Morocco's Calle Málaga, Philippines' Magellan, Poland's Franz and Chile's The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo. Not in shorlist Denmark's Mr. Nobody Against Putin but it is in the Documentary Shortlist along with Ukraine's 2000 Meters to Andriivka. By-the-way in the documentary shortlist the biggest snub of all is North Macedonia submission The Tale of Silyan.

Many are already speculating about the films that could have more chances with the nominations and most agree that those films distributed by Neon in the US have better chances as they are easier to be watched by AMPAS and audiences in general. The Neon distributed films are from Brazil, France, Norway, South Korea and Spain and there you have the 5 possible Oscar nominees in this category. If one of those five is out then probably the film that has the best chances is from Tunisia.

These 15 films will advance to the next round of voting to define the five (5) nominees. In this round Academy members are invited to opt in to participate and must view all 15 shortlisted films to vote.

Voting begins on Monday, January 12, and concludes on Friday January 16, 2026. The Oscars nominations will be announced on Tuesday, January 22, 2026.

The Shortlist of Fifteen

Argentina: Belén, Dolores Fonzi #73SSIFF Competition

Brazil: O Secreto Agente (The Secret Agent), Kleber Mendonça Filho #Cannes2025 Competition Best Director, Best Actor, FIPRESCI, and AFCAE Art House Cinema Awards winner

France: یک تصادف ساده Yek tasadef sadeh (It Was Just an Accident), Jafar Panahi #Cannes2025 Palme d'Or and Prix de la Citoyenneté winner

Germany: In die Sonne schauen (Sound of Falling), Mascha Schilinski #Cannes2025 Competition winner of Jury Prize

India: होमबाउंड Homebound, Neeraj Ghaywan #UCR2025 #Cannes2025
Iraq: مملكة القصب Mamlaket Al-Qasab (The President's Cake), Hasan Hadi #Quinzaine2025 #Cannes2025 Camera d'Or winner

Japan: 国宝 Kokuhô (Kokuho), Lee Sang-il #Quinzaine2025 #Cannes2025
Jordan: اللي باقي منك Ally baqi mink (All That's Left of You), Cherien Dabis #Sundance2025 Premieres

Norway: Affeksjonsverdi (Sentimental Value), Joachim Trier #Cannes2025 Competition Grand Prize winner

Palestine: فلسطين ٣٦ Palestine 36, Annemarie Jacir

South Korea: 어쩔수가없다 Eojjeolsugaeopda (No Other Choice), Chan-wook Park #Venezia82 Competition
Spain: Sirât, Oliver Laxe #Cannes2025 Competition Jury Prize winner, Cannes Soundtrack award winner, Palm Dog Grand Prix du Jury winner, and AFCAE Art House Cinema Award Special Mention
Switzerland: Heldin (Late Shift), Petra Volpe, Switzerland and Germany #Berlinale2025 Special Gala

Taiwan: 左撇子女孩 Left-Handed Girl, Shih-Ching Tsou #SdlC25 Competition #Cannes2025 Gan Foundation Award for Distribution and Grand Rail d'Or winner
Tunisia: صوت هند رجب The Voice of Hind Rajab, Kaouther Ben Hania #Venezia82 Competition Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize winner and eight collateral awards

To check above list of fifteen, as well as other categories with shortlists, go to official site here.