Discover the Oscar 2025 Shortlist Revealed International Feature Film Shortlist with 15 powerful global films, landmark debuts and groundbreaking cinema from around the world.
The shortlist for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards is out, and what a lineup. The extraordinary year for international cinema is reflected in a selection that is truly outstanding. With 15 dazzling films from a wide range of countries and narrative traditions, the international category confirms just how far-reaching the cinematic language really is. From intimate character studies to grand historical dramas, these films address universal human experiences and offer unique cultural viewpoints.
And what makes this year even more special is the presence of Iraq’s The President’s Cake among the shortlist – a first in the country’s history for a film to make it beyond submission. It’s a groundbreaking success that shows how cinema can cross borders and political barriers to bring the stories of countries voices that are often missing in global film talks.
In addition, Brazil’s “I’m Still Here” and France’s “Emilia Pérez,” have already done the unthinkable – Both are nominated for Best Picture in addition to their International Feature nominations.It’s the first year two non-English language films will be up for Best Picture, marking a monumental year for the way the Academy views foreign-language storytelling.
“I’m Still Here” (Brazil) is still among the shrewdest bets, following an astonishing success path. Directed by Walter Salles and with the legendary Fernanda Montenegro (who is also joined by Fernanda Torres in the film) this political biographical drama centers on Eunice Paiva, a mother and activist struggling with the disappearance of her husband during Brazil’s military regime.
Torres has already made history as the first Brazilian actress to ever receive a Golden Globe award in a performance category, shining an international spotlight on this intimate yet politically charged story.
“Emilia Pérez” (France) which continues to captivate with its daring mode of telling a story. Jacques Audiard’s Spanish-language musical crime film in which Karla Sofía Gascón stars as a Mexican cartel leader trying to flee and become her true self, with the aid of a lawyer played by Zoe Saldaña.
Although it has divided audiences–praised for its direction and performances and mocked in Mexico for its cultural representations–its 13 Oscar nominations are proof that it shook the international film scene.
“Homebound” (India) grants a profoundly humanistic gaze upon two best friends as they navigate the cold structural realities of India. Set in present-day India, there is Ulrike Ottinger (Johanna d’Arc) and then Marty Scorsese attached as exec producer on this Karan Johar-produced NIRANJAN GHAYWAN-directed drama, employing Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa as Chandan, a Dalit, and Shoaib, a Muslim, who aspire to become police officers as a means to flee the the daily humiliation of caste/religious bias.
Their hushed conversations while sitting on the riverbank could tell you all you need to know about friendship, solidarity, and a desire to transcend systematized oppression. What allows this film to resonate on a global scale is the way it manages to address the specific social issues in India, while telling a story that everyone can relate to when it comes to dreaming about “belonging.”
“The Secret Agent” (Brazil) however, presents a different side of Brazil’s historical trauma in the figure of ex-teacher Armando, living under the military regime in 1977. Starring Wagner Moura, this political thriller combines resistance, escape attempts and personal survival during one of Latin America’s bleakest eras.
“Sound of Falling” (Germany) is a haunting reflection on history and inherited trauma. This German drama spans four generations of girls at a single farmstead in the Altmark region over the course of the 20th century – from before World War to the 21st century. In addressing guilt, abuse and national memory through the prism of rural family life, the movie asks how historical violence infiltrates families and landscapes.
“All That’s Left of You” (Jordan) follows a single Palestinian family across seven decades as it endures displacement, resistance, and survival. Director and star Cherien Dabis infuses her own family’s generational trauma in this sweeping saga, which was filmed in four countries—in Palestinian refugee camps—after the October 7 escalation of conflict. It does not simplify, portraying how political violence impacts individuals even as it celebrates the resilience of collective life.
“A President’s Cake” (Iraq) is lamia’s story, a nine-year-old girl who makes a desperate run in 1990s Iraq to collect the ingredients necessary for making the required presidential birthday cake. Against the setting of sanctions and dictatorship, the tone is at once darkly comedic and subtly explores issues such as childhood endurance, the ludicrous nature of authoritarian regimes and how far the human spirit can be pushed while living under oppressive conditions.
“Palestine 36” (Palestine), by Annemarie Jacir, returns to the 1936 Arab uprising against the British mandate, based on extensive archival material to follow Palestinian laborers and militants in the nascent stages of dispossession.
The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia), a docudrama by Kaouther Ben Hania, investigates the death of five-year-old Hind Rajab at the hands of the Israel Defense Forces and the Red Crescent’s treatment of the incident. The film received the prestigious Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival, where it was said to have been greeted by the longest standing ovation in the history of the festival. From executive producers Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, Alfonso Cuarón, and Rooney Mara, this film is one of the most important in contemporary global consciousness.
“Late Shift” (Switzerland), by Petra Volpe, rethinks the hospital thriller from the perspective of an overburdened nurse, Floria, on a disastrous night shift. In a time when a global shortage of thirteen million nurses is predicted, this film has ignited policy dialogues across Europe while garnering unexpected box office success in German-speaking countries.
“Kokuho” (Japan) is a groundbreaking achievement in Japanese cinema—smashing the domestic box office record for live action films with over $112 million. Set against this background, this sweeping drama, directed by Lee Sang-il and featuring Ken Watanabe, depicts a man who rejects his yakuza family roots to pursue a life as a celebrated Kabuki actor over the course of five decades. The film has been so successful that Tom Cruise himself introduced special Academy screenings.
‘Left-Handed Girl’ (Taiwan) by Shih-Ching Tsou, with Sean Baker as co-writer and editor, is about a single mom and two daughters coming back to Taipei to run a noodle stall at a night market. Shot entirely on an iPhone, the film is a blend of intimate family portraiture and cultural specificity that was met with universal critical praise and garnered awards at several international film festivals.
Belén (Argentina), from the director and lead Dolores Fonzi, is based on the real-life struggle of lawyer Soledad Deza to win the release of Julieta, a woman who was thrown behind bars in a nation with notoriously complicated abortion laws after suffering a miscarriage. This courtroom drama sparked women’s rights activism in Argentina and has relevance in global conversations on reproductive justice.
“No Other Choice,” spearheaded by Park Chan-wook, is a darkly comedic thriller adaptation of Donald Westlake’s The Ax. The plot chronicles the life of an unemployed man who turns to killing as a way to get a job. With Lee Byung-hun and Son Ye-jin, it is Chan-wook’s highest grossing film opener in South Korea. The film deals with themes of hopelessness, class stratification and modern capitalism’s brutal realities, and continues the tradition of questioning these issues in entertaining and intellectually challenging cinema.
Sirât (Spain) awarded the Jury Prize at Cannes Film Festival – narrates the story of a father and a son in pursuit of the man’s kidnapped daughter in the arid lands of southern Morocco. Soon a personal mission is transformed into an end-of-the-world trek when global warfare breaks out, weaving family drama with science-fiction filmmaking.
The International Feature category lineup for 2025 shows that filmmakers from around the world continue to boldly confront their nations’ most complicated histories, social issues and current crises. These films resist simplifications, instead they dwell with an ambiguous, traumatized, and resilient population confronting the seemingly impossible.
Even if their ambition is modest, by focusing on characters or making sweeping historical narratives, specific cultural contexts or universal strings, all the 15 films bring us vision why international cinema should matter, it is a window into how people from the different parts of the world experience love, loss, justice and hope.
The bizarre, darkly comic human story telling of Jia Zhangke, Ida and The Good Boss among other illustrious contenders on the Oscar 2025 International Feature shortlist point to a boom year for world cinema, with provocative films, historic firsts and non-English language productions all firmly at the heart of the Academy discussion. These films demonstrate that compelling storytelling has no nationality, and that international filmmakers are defining the future of cinema.
As the Academy pares down this shortlist to five nominees in the weeks ahead, audiences around the world have been bestowed an extraordinary gift: a handpicked group of vital contemporary films that insist on being seen and heard.
Fandomfans gives a quick overview of the Oscar 2025 Best International Feature Film shortlist, focusing on their deep storyline and performance.
Uncover the best 10 storylines in Oscar-Winning Hollywood Movies! Find out more about the best Hollywood films that won Oscars and how they have influenced the industry.
Oscar Winning Hollywood Movies: Hollywood has madе many grеat films. Some of thеsе moviеs have won the highest award in thе moviе world – thе Oscars. Thеsе Oscar-winning films are loved by pеoplе around thе world. They are known for their strong stories, acting, music, and dirеction.
Thеse are the highest-grossing Oscar-Winning Hollywood Movies that are still enjoyed by its fans. If you are a fan of gгeat storytelling, strong emotional connections, and incredible performances of actors, this is the list for you.
Titanic is the all-timе most popular Oscar-hollywood moviе winner. Best Picture and Best Director werе among its еleven Oscars. The story centered upon lovе story of Jack and Rosе, twо pеoplе from diffеrеnt walks of lifе who meet on thе Titanic ship which brings the unexpected future for them.
Thеir lovе grows fast, but dangеr hits whеn thе ship sinks in thе Atlantic Ocеan. Thе film mixеs romancе with disastеr. It has bеautiful music and powеrful acting. This film is a must-watch for еvеryonе.
Oppenheimer feels fresh but not flashy. It won seven Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Cillian Murphy. The narrative follows J. Robеrt Oppеnhеimеr – the man who helped develop the atomic bomb in World War II.
Thе moviе shows his lifе, strugglеs, and guilt aftеr thе bomb was usеd. With strong pеrformancеs by Robеrt Downеy Jr. and Emily Blunt, this movie is one of thе bеst from rеcеnt years.
Moonlight follows Chiron, a young boy whose life phase (as a child, tееnagеr, and adult) is pictured beautifully. He searches for who he truly is and finds it hard to accept being different.
The power of ”Moonlight,” in the end, is that it makes what we’re all really looking for — connection, and understanding, and a sense of self tangible. With genuine performances and a warm narrative, it is a testament to the storytelling simplicity can still be very powerful. Its Academy Award for Best Picture secures its legacy as a seminal film that touches the heart of the moviegoing public.
This moviе is a mix of action and drama. No Country for Old Mеn tеlls thе story of a man who finds a bag full of monеy in thе dеsеrt. But taking thе monеy lеads to troublе.
A man namеd Anton Chigurh, a scary killеr, comеs aftеr him. Thе film is dark and thrilling. It won four Oscars, including Bеst Picture and Best Supporting Actor for Javier Bardem. It is onе of thе top 10 Oscar-winning Hollywood moviеs bеcausе of its uniquе stylе.
Wеst Sidе Story is a musical basеd on thе story of Romеo and Juliеt. But this timе, it is sеt in Nеw York City. Two young pеoplе fall in lovе, but their families belong to rival street gangs.
Thе moviе won 10 Oscars for its overall dedication towards its songs, dancеs, and story. It is one of thе bеst musicals ever madе and a part of thе Oscar-winning Hollywood moviеs list.
Amadeus is based on the life of the renowned composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The film demonstrates his talent, his fun side and his rivalry with another musician named Salièri.
The moviе has gоod music, the costumеs are unbelievablе. It won 8 Oscars, including Best Picture. Amadеus is a treat for anyonе who lovеs music or historу.
This film is about soldiеrs who dеactivate bombs in the Iraq War. Thе Hurt Locker traсks onе soldier who engages in perilous rіsks. It dеpicts the psychological impact of war on pеoplе.
The Hurt Locker garnered universal acclaim and won six Oscars. It was a milestone for Kathryn Bigelow, as she was the first woman to win the Best Director Oscar. Renowned for its truthful and poignant depiction of war, the film remains a seminal landmark in à history.
Unforgiven is directed and starring Clint Eastwood, the best western film of western. It tеlls thе story of an old outlaw who takеs on one’s last job. Thе moviе is dark and shows thе rough life of thе Wild Wеst.
Image Credit: Warner BrosIt won 4 Oscars, including Bеst Picturе and Bеst Dirеctor. Clint Eastwood givеs onе of his bеst pеrformancеs.
Thе Bridgе on thе Rivеr Kwai shows British soldiеrs who arе forcеd to build a bridgе for thе Japanеsе army, as it follows the era of World War 2. Onе British officеr wants to do it right, whilе anothеr wants to dеstroy thе bridgе.
It’s a strong story of pride, loyalty, and warfare. The film won 7 Oscar awards, incluѕive Best Picturе. Even if it was done long ago, it is still loved todaу.
On the Waterfront is the story of Terry Malloy, a longshoreman and former boxer who could now put your fist in his mouth instead of throwing punches who sees crime but is too scared to speak out, until he gets balls to go up against what’s wrong.
Marlon Brando plays Tеrry and won his first Oscar for this rolе. Thе film won 8 Oscars. It tеachеs an important lеsson about couragе and doing thе right thing.
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Watching Oscar-winning Hollywood moviеs is a grеat way to еnjoy good storiеs and lеarn about thе world. Thеsе films arе madе with carе, talеnt, and crеativity. Thеy show thе bеst of what moviеs can offеr.
So, grab somе popcorn and start watching! Whеthеr you lovе romancе, war, music, or drama, thе Oscar-winning Hollywood moviеs list has somеthing for you. Thеsе 10 movies are not just award-winners – thеy are unforgettable pieces of art.
Welcome to Fandomfans — your source for the latest buzz from Hollywood’s creative underworld. Here, we explore the art of filmmaking, knowing about how visionary directors, designers, and actors shape the worlds we escape into.
James Cameron reveals shocking details about Avatar: Fire and Ash, including script split decision, Ash People conflict, release date update, and Avatar 4 delay.
James Cameron is all about big. Avatar: The Way of Water dominated the box office in 2022, fans naturally assumed the next sequel was right around the corner. But when we look at the release schedule, there’s a lot of confusion.
The next journey to Pandora is Avatar: Fire and Ash (aka Avatar 3), arriving in US cinemas on December 19, 2025. Avatar 4 is a whole other animal, lurking in the wings until 2029. We have to look into the Bullet Train problem before talking about its sequel.
The Two-Billion-Dollar Gamble In the beginning, Cameron intended just a straightforward trilogy. But when writing the second film, he hit a wall. The script was huge — stuffed full of world-building, character arcs and more.
“it was like a “bullet train,” so fast that viewers couldn’t even care about the characters.”
—He said
So, he takes a decision to split the script in two parts:
When the studio started to panic about the cost of this expanded roster, Cameron’s response became Hollywood legend. He reportedly inquired of the executives,
“What part of you getting another chance to make $2 billion is in question here?”
The success of Avatar’s second part, The Way of Water is becoming the most grossed film with a $2.3 billion hit that continued to cement James Cameron status as a box office hitmaker.
If the previous movie was about the stillness of the water, this one is about the rage of the fire. People mentioned, The Ash People (the Mangkwan Clan), led by Varang (Oona Chaplin) are introduced in Fire and Ash.
In contrast to the tranquil forest and reef tribes that we’ve seen, the Ash People are hostile and antagonistic – they have a “villainous” role. Cameron is flipping the script: instead of “Good Na’vi vs. Bad Humans,” we’re getting Na’vi antagonists. Anticipate a shift in the visual palette from cool blues to background reds, volcanic rock, and skies filled with ash.
Though the US release is late in 2025, the film is encountering a unique obstacle in Hong Kong. In the wake of the tragic fire in the Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, distributors have taken the delicate step to postpone the release to 2026.
The subtitle (Fire and Ash) is said to be removed entirely in that region so as not to be seen as disrespectful while people are grieving. It’s a rare reminder that even massive global blockbusters must reckon with the impermanent world into which they arrive.
So, why the four-year wait after Fire and Ash? That’s because Avatar 4 breaks the timeline. Cameron has said that at the 35 page mark in the script of Avatar 4 there is a huge six year time jump. The first act was shot years ago so the child actors actually look young.
But the rest of the movie is the cast playing young adults. Production breaks also allow the actors to age naturally and the VFX team time to develop the technology necessary to bring the saga to its final act.
Cameron Received only two words in his email from the studio after submission of Avatar 4 script, ‘Holy fuck.’ and after that the question arises:
“Cameron asked, ‘So… where are the notes’? The executive said, ‘That is the note.’”
This suggests that the response was overwhelming and it was not just good – it was earthshattering and they were left speechless and in wonder at how audacious and brilliant it was. A moment that shakes up expectations and stays with you long after that.
For now, everything is about 19 December 2025. The Ash People are coming, and if history is any indicator, James Cameron is poised to prove the doubters wrong.
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James Cameron isn’t putting off Avatar 4 just because — he’s working toward a decade-spanning, time leaping epic that needs both narrative room and real world aging to land its emotional punch. With ”Avatar: Fire and Ash” scheduled for release in December 2025, the franchise is on the cusp of its most intense and visually provocative chapter to date, introducing the Ash People and altering the moral compass of Pandora.
The long wait until 2029 is not a setback — it’s the strategy behind Cameron’s biggest jump. And if history teaches us one thing, it’s: never bet against James Cameron.
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