São Paulo – Six Arab countries have so far selected films to compete for a spot among the nominees for Best International Feature Film at the 2027 Oscars. Film academies have until Sept. 30 to submit their entries. The shortlist will be announced on Dec. 15, with the five finalists to be revealed on Jan. 21. The 99th Academy Awards will be held on March 14 in Los Angeles.
The film selected to represent Brazil in the competition is Gugu’s World (2026), directed by Allan Deberton. It tells the story of a boy’s fear as he watches his grandmother’s illness progress and faces the prospect of living with his father, with whom he has a difficult relationship. Below are the Arab films that have already been submitted for Oscar consideration:
Strawberries – Morocco
Two Moroccan women travel to Andalusia, Spain, to work on strawberry farms during the harvest season. What was meant to be an opportunity to improve their living conditions turns into a reality of exploitation, harassment and poor working conditions in Laila Marrakchi’s feature film.
Citizen Osama – Palestine
Ahmed Hassouna’s documentary explores the story of photographer and filmmaker Osama Al-Ashi, documenting the devastation unfolding around him in Gaza as he tries to protect his family. Loss, hunger and displacement are among the themes explored in the film.
The Stories – Egypt
Set against the backdrop of the 1967 war, Abu Bakr Shawky’s film follows a young man from a humble background in Cairo who dreams of becoming a pianist. His life changes, however, when he begins a pen-pal romance with an Austrian woman. The Stories is inspired by a story from the director’s own family.
Sink – Jordan
Mental health is the central theme of Zaian Duraie’s feature film. The story follows a young man who is suspended after an outburst during his final year of high school. His mother, Nadia, refuses to accept that her son is struggling and dismisses the warning signs as tragedy looms.
No Paradise If You Are Killed by a Woman – Iraq
A female sniper discovers that her younger sister, who disappeared in 2014 at the hands of terrorists, may still be alive and sets out to find her. The film is a co-production between Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Sweden and Norway and is the second film by director Halkawt Mustafa to represent Iraq in the Oscar race. The first was El Clasico (2016).
Roqia – Algeria
After a car accident, a man returns home with his face covered in bandages and no memory of his past. Following his arrival, disturbing events begin to unfold in the village where he lives. Yanis Koussim’s psychological horror film draws on events that took place in Algeria in the 1990s.
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Translated by Guilherme Miranda
