Just over two weeks remain before the October 1 deadline for submissions to the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards, and the competition is already heating up in ways that promise a thrilling race. Filmmakers, producers, and national committees are giving their all to get their entries noticed, while some industry insiders are already speculating which titles might capture the Academy’s attention.
So far, 48 films have officially been logged by Deadline, with expectations that the final tally will land somewhere between 80 and 90. The early frontrunners are already commanding headlines. Norway’s Sentimental Value is turning heads for its emotional depth and precise storytelling, while Tunisia’s entry, Kaouther Ben Hania’s The Voice of Hind Rajab, delivers a portrayal of a six-year-old girl’s death in Gaza, highlighting urgent social and political realities. Both films are sparking conversations well beyond the festival circuit and signaling the power of cinema to provoke thought and empathy on a global scale.
The Fierce Selection That Defines 98th Academy Awards Contenders
Sentimental Value has been riding a wave of acclaim following its Grand Prix win at Cannes, where it was also acquired by Neon. Director Joachim Trier, alongside cast members Renate Reinsve and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, brought the film to Telluride this month, building on the buzz and capturing critics’ imaginations with a nuanced, and a heartfelt story. Meanwhile, Ben Hania’s drama made a historic splash at Venice, earning a 23-minute standing ovation and the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize, cementing its status as a must-watch entry.
France has seen surprising turns as well. Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just An Accident, co-produced in Paris, is reportedly under consideration despite Panahi’s inability to submit it to Iran due to political reasons. Other French contenders include Ugo Bienvenu’s animated feature Arco, produced by Natalie Portman; Richard Linklater’s French-language homage Nouvelle Vague; Rebecca Zlotowski’s A Private Life starring Jodie Foster; and Hafsia Herzi’s Little Sister. A confidential committee of film professionals will select France’s official entry on September 17.
The Middle East and North Africa region is fielding one of its most impressive sets of entries in years. Alongside The Voice of Hind Rajab, Morocco’s Calle Málaga, Palestine’s Palestine 36, and Cherien Dabis’s All That’s Left of You are all gaining attention for their rich storytelling and socially conscious themes. These films reflect a growing global interest in stories that illuminate the human experience across the region.
Elsewhere, national selection battles are as fierce as ever. In Brazil, the stakes are high after last year’s win for Walter Salles’ I’m Still Here. While The Secret Agent, which is a political thriller with Cannes accolades for Best Director and Best Actor, appeared to be the obvious choice, Gabriel Mascaro’s The Blue Trail has emerged as a strong contender, buoyed by festival buzz and box office success. Marianna Brennand’s debut Manas, recently backed by Sean Penn and veteran producers, is also in the running. Other hopefuls include Érico Rassi’s Same Old West and Luciano Vidigal’s White House, with Brazil’s final decision expected imminently.
From ‘No Other Choice’ to ‘Viking Shores’: International Films Making Their Mark
Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice is also making waves. Known for his stylistic boldness, Park premiered the anarchic drama in Venice, and the film’s North American debut at TIFF as a Gala Presentation further amplified its awards campaign. Attending the festival, Park and lead actor Lee Byung-hun engaged in lively discussions, giving audiences and journalists a peek behind the scenes of a story that challenges norms and defies expectations. Taiwan’s Left-Handed Girl, a debut feature co-written and produced by Shih-Ching Tsou and Oscar-winning collaborator Sean Baker, is quietly building momentum, thanks to Netflix distribution and strong festival reactions.
Other countries finalizing submissions include Denmark, with films like Jeanette Nordahl’s Beginnings, Anders Thomas Jensen’s The Last Viking, and David Borenstein’s Mr. Nobody Against Putin, and Spain, considering Eva Libertad’s Deal, Carla Simón’s Romeria, and Oliver Laxe’s Sirāt. Italy revealed 24 potential candidates, including Gianfranco Rosi’s Venice Special Jury Prize winner Below the Clouds, Pietro Marcello’s Duse, and Leonardo Di Costanzo’s Elisa.
Israel will announce its entry at the Ophir Awards on September 16. Leading the pack is Shai Carmeli Pollak’s The Sea, about a Palestinian boy navigating checkpoints to glimpse the ocean for the first time. Other frontrunners include Nadav Lapid’s satire Yes! and Natali Braun’s Oxygen, both of which engage with the country’s political realities in ways that challenge prevailing narratives.
The Academy will reveal the shortlist on December 16, followed by nominations on January 22, 2026. The 98th Academy Awards ceremony is set for March 15, 2026, promising a global stage for this year’s most compelling international films.
