The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed the 15 shortlisted films for the International Film Oscar and despite the lack of screenings and in-person events, it’s a worthy list that should satisfy any cinephile. Among the 93 submissions, acclaimed films such as Thomas Vinterberg’s “Another Round” (Denmark), Jayro Bustamante’s “La Llorona” (Guatemala), and Philippe Lacôte’s “Night of Kings” (Ivory Coast) all made the cut. In fact, the voting membership showed much-needed diversity by nominating at least two films from every continent outside of South America which landed one shortlisted contender and Australia.
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Potential nominees that didn’t make the cut included Christos Nikou’s “Apples” (Greece), Malgorzata Szumowska and Michael Englert’s “Never Gonna Snow Again” (Poland), Gianfranco Rosi’s “Notturno” (Italy), Amanda Kernell’s “Charter” (Sweden) and Valentyn Vasyanovych’s “Atlantis” (Ukraine), among others.
In the nominations round, Academy members from all branches are allowed to participate. They must view all 15 shortlisted films in order to cast a ballot.
This year’s 15 shortlisted films are as follows:
Bosnia and Herzegovina, “Quo Vadis, Aida?”
Chile, “The Mole Agent”
Czech Republic, “Charlatan”
Denmark, “Another Round”
France, “Two of Us”
Guatemala, “La Llorona”
Hong Kong, “Better Days”
Iran, “Sun Children”
Ivory Coast, “Night of the Kings”
Mexico, “I’m No Longer Here”
Norway, “Hope”
Romania, “Collective”
Russia, “Dear Comrades!”
Taiwan, “A Sun”
Tunisia, “The Man Who Sold His Skin”
Nominations for the 93rd Academy Awards will be announced on Monday, March 15, 2021.
International Film
Documentary and Doc Short
Original Song
Original Score
Visual Effects
Hair and Makeup
Live Action and Animated Short