Oscars 2026: France Reveals Bold Shortlist for Best International Feature Film
The race to represent France at the 98th Academy Awards has officially begun, and the competition is fierce. On Wednesday, France’s Oscar selection committee unveiled its shortlist of contenders for the coveted Best International Feature Film Oscar, a category the country hasn’t won in over three decades.
With submissions due by October 1 and final nominees announced on January 22, 2026, this year’s selection is a high-stakes battle among emerging voices and established auteurs.
For France’s vibrant film community, from the historic theaters of Paris to the thriving festival scenes of Lyon, Marseille, and Bordeaux, the announcement sparks both excitement and speculation. The shortlist features a mix of daring storytelling and international collaborations, promising to showcase the depth of modern French cinema to global audiences.
France’s Oscar Hopefuls: A Diverse Shortlist
The five films vying to represent France include a blend of new talent and world-renowned filmmakers. The shortlist reads like a roadmap of contemporary French cinema:
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Arco, directed by Ugo Bienvenu (Remembers et Mountain A)
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The Little Sister, directed by Hafsia Herzi (June Films)
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Nouvelle Vague, directed by Richard Linklater (ARP Sélection)
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It Was Just An Accident, directed by Jafar Panahi (Les Films Pelléas)
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A Private Life, directed by Rebecca Zlotowski (Les Films Velvet)
This eclectic group spans genres from intimate dramas to politically charged narratives. The inclusion of Richard Linklater, an American filmmaker, adds a unique twist to the competition, signaling the increasingly international nature of France’s film scene.
The Selection Process and What’s at Stake
France’s National Cinema Centre (CNC) oversees the process, with a committee made up of seasoned industry professionals who understand the complexities of Oscar campaigning. The committee will reconvene on September 17 to meet with the creative teams behind each film before making the final decision.
The stakes are monumental. The film chosen will have just weeks to mount a global marketing push before the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) reveals its 15-film shortlist on December 16. From there, only five nominees will move forward to the Oscars ceremony on March 15, 2026.
“This is a moment where artistry meets strategy. The right choice could reignite France’s presence on the world stage,” said a French film critic at Cannes earlier this year.
Lessons From Last Year’s Controversy
The memory of last year’s campaign looms large over this year’s selection. France’s 2025 contender, Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Pérez, began as a frontrunner with an impressive 13 Oscar nominations. However, the film’s momentum was derailed when homophobic and racist social media posts from star Karla Sofía Gascon surfaced.
The controversy sparked international backlash and overshadowed the film’s artistic achievements. While Emilia Pérez did secure Oscars for Best Music and Best Adapted Screenplay, it ultimately lost the Best International Feature Film category to Brazil’s I’m Still Here, directed by Walter Salles.
This incident highlights the volatile mix of artistry and politics that defines Oscar season. For this year’s candidates, maintaining a positive public narrative will be just as crucial as the quality of their films.
A Historic Opportunity for French Cinema
France’s track record in this category has been uneven in recent years. The country last won the Best International Feature Film Oscar in 1993 with Régis Wargnier’s Indochine. Since then, while French films like Ladj Ly’s Les Misérables (2020) and Alice Diop’s Saint Omer have reached the shortlist, none have secured the top prize.
Notably, French filmmakers have achieved success outside the category. Justine Triet’s Anatomy of a Fall triumphed with an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay after winning the Palme d’Or at Cannes. These victories underscore the global reach of French cinema, even as the ultimate prize in this category remains elusive.
What This Means for Film Markets and Festivals
The shortlist announcement will reverberate across France’s major film hubs, from the Cannes market to regional festivals in Lille, Strasbourg, Nantes, and Nice. Distributors and buyers will watch closely as buzz builds around these films, influencing sales and festival strategies leading up to awards season.
For international audiences, this is a rare chance to experience a curated snapshot of France’s cinematic future. The selected film will carry the weight of decades of storytelling tradition and the hopes of a nation passionate about cinema.
Conclusion: The Countdown Begins
As France prepares to make its final decision, the world watches with anticipation. This year’s selection process is about more than just one award. It represents a pivotal moment for French cinema, offering a chance to reclaim glory on Hollywood’s biggest stage.
The final choice will reveal itself soon enough, but one thing is certain: whichever film earns the nomination will face the challenge of standing out amid fierce global competition. For cinephiles and industry insiders alike, the journey to March 15 promises to be a thrilling ride.
