Oscar Predictions: International Feature — Neon Dominates With ‘Sirât’ and ‘Sentimental Value’ as ‘Late Shift’ and Sneaks Onto Shortlist

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Oscars Best International Feature Commentary (Updated Dec. 16, 2025): The international feature film category offered few surprises on the shortlist, though distributor Neon secured a record five of the 15 available slots. Switzerland’s “Late Shift” edged out the United Kingdom’s “My Father’s Shadow,” despite the latter’s recent Gotham Award win for lead actor Ṣọpẹ Dìrísù.

Women directors also made their mark in this year’s selections: seven of the 15 international feature films are directed by women.

The roster of contenders aligned almost identically with predictions, though Switzerland’s “Late Shift” emerged as a notable surprise, securing a spot many expected would go to the United Kingdom’s “My Father’s Shadow” — particularly after its strong Gotham Award win for leading performer Sopé Dìrísù. Critical acclaim and festival momentum don’t always translate to Academy recognition, especially in a category known for its unpredictability.

Neon’s impressive five-film presence (“The Secret Agent,” “Sirât,” “It Was Just an Accident,” “Sentimental Value,” and “No Other Choice”) shows the distributor’s is gearing up for a bloodbath of its own in the international space. Will they nab all five slots? Tunisia’s masterful “The Voice of Hind Rajab” is in the running for a spot after the Golden Globe nom.

In other news, streaming giants Netflix (“Left-Handed Girl”) and Amazon MGM Studios (“Belén”) maintain their competitive footing. Meanwhile, Watermelon Pictures’ dual representation with entries from Jordan (“All That’s Left of You”) and Palestine (“Palestine 36”) highlights the continued push for representation from Middle Eastern cinema on the global stage.

The international feature film category drew 86 eligible submissions from countries and regions around the world. The Academy defines an international feature film as a feature-length picture (more than 40 minutes) produced outside the U.S. with a predominantly non-English dialogue track.

Academy members from all branches were invited to participate in the preliminary round of voting, though eligibility required meeting a minimum viewing requirement. In the nominations round, members from all branches may opt in to participate but must view all 15 shortlisted films to vote. From this shortlist of 15 titles, five films will advance to the final nomination ballot.

Final nominations in the shortlisted categories will be determined in the coming weeks. Oscar voting opens Monday, Jan. 12, and closes Friday, Jan. 16. Nominations will be announced Thursday, Jan. 22.