Oscar 2026 International feature shortlist looms: Top predictions unveiled

New Delhi: The Oscar race heats up as the shortlist for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards nears. Just days away from the December 16 reveal, experts buzz with predictions from 86 nations' entries.

Frontrunners promise drama, emotion, and global stories that could snag nominations on January 22 and shine on March 15. 

The Academy will announce 15 films from 86 submissions on December 16, 2025. This step follows preliminary voting ending December 12. Final five nominees come January 22, 2026. 

France's It Was Just an Accident leads many lists as a strong bet. Norway's Sentimental Value, directed by Joachim Trier, draws praise as a frontrunner with crossover Best Picture potential, per Variety pundits. Brazil's The Secret Agent, South Korea's No Other Choice, and Tunisia's The Voice of Hind Rajab also rank high. 

Other contenders include Ukraine's 2000 Meters to Andriivka, UK's My Father’s Shadow, Spain's Sirat, Germany's Sound of Falling, and Iraq's The President’s Cake. The Contending predicts Denmark's Mr Nobody Against Putin and North Macedonia's The Tale of Silyan too. This year features numerous frontrunners alongside emerging contenders, with many titles showcasing crossover appeal.

India's Homebound, Japan's Kokuho, Italy's Familia, and China's Dead to Rights could sneak in. Palestine's Palestine 36 and Taiwan's Left-Handed Girl add bold voices. Experts see deviation from usual powers like France and Spain dominating. 

Analysts call this lineup one of the best, urging more nominees beyond five. Neon-backed films like Norway and France gain an edge. Norway’s Sentimental Value, co-written and directed by Joachim Trier, is among the most talked-about titles, says Variety. Voting wraps soon, setting the stage for upsets.