Best International Feature Film Oscar contenders announced

Outspoken filmmakers stand out in close competition

by Jennie Kermode

The Voice Of Hind Rajab
The Voice Of Hind Rajab Photo: Courtesy of San Sebastian Film Festival

There's a distinctly political flavour to the 2026 Academy Awards Best International Feature shortlist, which was revealed today. Two of the films deal with Palestine, one with women's rights in Argentina, and the director of another, Jafar Panahi, has been convicted of creating 'propaganda against the system' in his home country of Iran.

Five of the films on this list will go onto the nominations stage, to be announced on 22 January, with the final winner being announced at the Oscar ceremony in Los Angeles on 15 March.

This year's longlist:

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A moment of change David Arrow and Amber Paul on November 1963 and making the Oscar-qualifying Drive

The serpent's call Composer Stephen Lukach on creating tension and awe in Beware Boiúna

Care and community Mike Leigh and the Tender Loving Care cast on humanity and looking out for one another

The aftermath Jorge Thielen Armand on returning to Venezuela to make Death Has No Master

I Swear leads charge for Scottish BAFTAs Tourette's drama has seven nominations

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