In a significant move ahead of the 1998 Academy Awards, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) announced that Homebound (India) and Palestine 36 (Palestine) are among the 15 films that have made it towards the final round of vote within the International Feature Film category. This announcement marks a significant moment for both films as they get closer to possible nomination consideration for consideration by Academy voters.
The Academy’s announcement, which was made available via its official social media channels confirmed that the 15 films were chosen from a pool of entries from 86 countries or regions. The list includes submissions that come from Argentina (Belen), Brazil (The Secret Agent), France (It Was a Random Accident), Germany (Sound of Falling), Iraq (The President’s Cake), Japan (Kokuho), Jordan (All That’s Left of You), Norway (Sentimental Value), South Korea (No Other Choice), Spain (Sirat), Switzerland (Late Shift), Taiwan (Left-Handed Girl) along with Tunisia (The Voice of Hind Rajab) in addition to other entries from Indian and Palestinian submissions.
The Academy has confirmed that the next stage of this process of voting will come with the release of the final nominations on the 22nd of January, 2026. Academy members across the globe will cast their votes to decide which five films within the International Feature Film category will be awarded officially announced Oscar nominations.
Homebound: India’s Entry in the Oscars Race
Homebound produced by Neeraj Ghaywan has attracted significant international attention since its debut. The drama in Hindi was chosen as India’s official selection in the Best International Feature Film category which secured its spot within the Academy’s shortlist of fifteen films. The film is a tale of two childhood pals, Shoaib and Chandan, who share a dream to become police officers sets the tone for a tale that explores friendship, aspiration along with the social pressures facing young people in modern India.
Produced by some of the most well-known names from Indian cinema, including Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla and Apoorva Mehta, and with performance by Ishaan Khatter as well as Vishal Jethwa in the lead roles. The film has been praised as a masterpiece of emotional depth, and strength of narrative. Janhvi Kapoor has also delivered an important supporting role that enhances the film’s exploration of personal as well as social issues.
Homebound has already garnered praise from critics in the festival circuit around the world. It was screened at some of the most some of the world’s most prestigious film festivals like those at the Cannes Film Festival, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and The Melbourne International Film Festival, which received a great deal of attention for its narrative and performance.
The film’s inclusion in the Oscars the next round of voting is five times in Academy’s history of 98 years in which it has been an Indian film has made it to this point of the International Feature Film category. The previous Indian films that were recognized at this stage are Mother India (1957), Salaam Bombay! (1988), and Lagaan (2001) that were nominated in the previous Oscars nominations format.
The reaction from the Indian film industry was positive. both cast and crew members sharing their satisfaction with the accomplishment. Actor Ishaan Khatter posted the achievement on his official social media accounts and highlighted the importance of the film’s advancement through the awards process.
Palestine 36: Historical Drama Gains Global Recognition
Palestine 36 directed by Annemarie Jacir also made it to the Oscars next round of voting along with Homebound. The drama about the past serves as Palestine’s official submission to The Best International Feature Film category. The film traces the pivotal events in the period of 1936-1939. Arab rebellion to protest British oppression in Palestine in the Mandate period. It features an international cast, which includes Hiam Abbass Saleh Bakri Yasmine Al Massri Robert Aramayo, and others.
The film’s production Palestine 36 was not without its challenges due to instability in the region, including the Gaza conflict of 2023 which delayed the principal photography for a time. Despite this the film was made which made it one of the films made within Palestine in recent times.
The film was premiered in The Toronto International Film Festival on September 5, 2025 in which it was given an extended standing ovation in the Gala Presentation screening. Since its premiere, Palestine 36 has been featured in numerous international festivals and received praise for its cinematic representation of historic moments.
Co-produced by businesses across Europe as well as Europe and the Middle East, with distribution partners that include Curzon Film and MAD Distribution, Palestine 36 also has been critically acclaimed. It was awarded Best Film at the Tokyo International Film Festival in November 2025. The film has been praised for its authentic portrayal of a complex historical tale.
The inclusion of the film alongside Homebound as well as other international releases is a sign of the Academy’s acceptance of cinema from all over the world that showcases a variety of historical, cultural, as well as social experiences.
Broader Oscars International Feature Film Landscape
The International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards has become increasingly competitive, with entries from a range of nations seeking to showcase distinctive storytelling and filmmaking styles. In this year’s 98th Academy Awards, 86 films were eligible for this category, which reflected the wide range of storytelling styles and cinematic stories from all over the globe.
Films selected for the next round of voting are currently being considered by Academy members who will decide the nominees to be announced later in the month. The category has historically received acclaim for films that provide captivating perspectives on national identities social issues, as well as human experiences that resonate across the globe.
Context Within India’s Oscar History
India’s participation on the International Feature Film category has been somewhat intermittent, but has been influential. Although Indian movies have submitted films to Academy Awards for many years but only a handful have made it to the voting stage or have received nominations. Homebound‘s progression towards the next voting stage is continuing this pattern of recognition internationally.
Previous Indian submissions that have achieved an audience at Oscars include classics like Mother India and later-released films that have been praised, such as Salaam Bombay! and Lagaan which were nominated under previous formats. These films have helped establish India’s position on the global screen and exhibited that the industry’s capability to compete against the most acclaimed productions in the world.
Academy Awards Process and Timeline
The Academy’s selection procedure to determine categories such as the Best International Feature Film category begins with submissions by eligible countries. This is followed by numerous stages of votes from Academy members. Films with the highest number of votes go through various stages and culminate at the release of nominations. In the final Oscars ceremony, during which winners will be announced will be held in early 2026.
The 15 films shortlisted that were announced by the Academy is a major accomplishment for the films selected which signals recognition from the industry and positioning them for future examination. The selections do not guarantee acceptance however it places the films in a selective group of films that will continue to be considered to be considered in the Awards competition.
International Recognition and Industry Impact
Each of The Homebound as well as Palestine 36 have drawn attention from all over the world outside of even the Oscars race. Their choices reflect the changing world of cinema that is with a specific cultural context are becoming more acclaimed because of their broad themes as well as their artistic excellence.
Homebound Homebound The Oscars award adds to its festival’s success and increases the global recognition of Indian cinema, specifically for stories in Hindi that are infused with current social issues.
In the case of Palestine for the 36th time advancement through the Oscars process increases the recognition of Palestinian stories in the global film debate, by highlighting stories that originate from political and historical contexts that are not often represented when it comes to international award ceremonies.
The Academy Awards process continues toward the announcement of nominations for the Oscar Awards the two films are in active consideration. This is a sign of the worldwide reach of cinema and the significance of international storytelling within the Academy Awards.
