International Feature Film Oscar Shortlist: 15 Films Advance as Nominations Near

The Academy’s International Feature Film Oscar shortlist is taking shape as 15 countries move forward to the next round of voting. This year spans Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Asia, with the list of competitors having a broad selection of voices, genres and filmmaking styles, such as intimate dramas or politically charged stories. With Oscar nominations set to be revealed on Thursday, January 22, the coming days will be crucial as voters narrow these titles toward the final nominees. The complete list of the 15 films that have moved forward, by country, and the meaning of this milestone in the race is given below.

Full List: 15 Films Still in the Race

The following titles have advanced in the International Feature Film Oscar shortlist round:

• Argentina: Belén
• Brazil: The Secret Agent
• France: It Was Nothing but 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.

What Happens Next Before Nominations

Making the next voting round doesn’t guarantee a nomination, but it does place each film one step closer to the final Oscar nominations. At this stage, visibility matters: distributor campaigning, critic buzz, and voter screenings can all influence how the International Feature Film Oscar shortlist ultimately narrows.

As nominations came in on Thursday, January 22, the field is soon to narrow down into the official nominee lineup. These 15 entries are so far the best remaining national entries that still have a fight to win one of the most popular categories in the Academy.