2026 Oscars Race Heats Up: International Films Pose a Growing Challenge
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The preliminary voting by members of the Hollywood Academy this Tuesday revealed shortlists in 12 categories, setting the stage for the final Oscar nominations declaration on January 22, 2026, culminating in the awards ceremony on March 15. The competition is already fierce, particularly in the international film category.
initial tallies indicate several films are leading the pack in technical categories. Sinners and Wicked: For Good both received citations in eight categories, followed by Frankenstein with six, and Battle After Battle, F1, and sirât each garnering five nominations. Dreams and Trains, Avatar: Fire and Ash – set to release in national theaters this Wednesday – and Marty Supreme are also generating buzz with four nominations apiece.
The rise of International Cinema
However, the most compelling narrative unfolding is the intensifying competition for Best International Film. According to sources, the quality and momentum of this year’s submissions are poised to elevate the category’s profile significantly. This trend builds upon the success of last year’s nominee, I’m Still Here by Walter Salles, which demonstrated the potential for an Oscar win to translate into global recognition.
“What happens there risks not exactly stealing the spotlight from the 2026 Oscars but…making it their own,” one analyst noted, highlighting the growing influence of international cinema on the awards landscape.
A Global Showcase of Storytelling
From a pool of submissions representing over 80 countries, 15 films have advanced, each offering a unique outlook and cultural resonance. The shortlisted titles include:
- Argentina: Belén
- Brazil: The Secret Agent – a film already generating excitement among Brazilian fans.
- France: It Was Just an accident, an Iranian production by Jafar Panahi, largely funded by French capital.
- Germany: Sound of Falling
- India: Homebound
- Iraq: The President’s Cake, which previously competed at the 2025 Lisbon Film Festival and is slated for release in early 2026.
- japan: That’s It
- 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, also scheduled for release in Portuguese theaters in the coming months.
Manny of these films are viewed as contenders not just within their category, but for broader recognition throughout the awards season.
Notably, Portugal’s submission, Banzo by Margarida Cardoso, did not advance to the next stage of consideration.
The coming months promise a thrilling race to the Oscars, with the international film category poised to be a particularly captivating battleground, showcasing the power of global storytelling on Hollywood’s biggest stage.
