One of the five movies is headed to Germany for the Oscar awards.
Germany has revealed its shortlist of five films vying for the Best International Feature Film category at the upcoming 98th Academy Awards. The chosen films will represent the country in the prestigious competition, with the final decision to be made by an independent jury of experts.
The list includes Fatih Akin's "Amrum", a strongly anticipated film in this year's race [3]. Starring Diane Kruger, "Amrum" is a captivating drama that has already generated significant interest.
Another contender is Mascha Schilinski's "Sound of Falling". This moving drama has also been shortlisted as a German entry for the Oscars, earning attention in the national selection [3].
The third film on the list is "The Seed of the Sacred Fig", directed by Mohammad Rasoulof. This powerful anti-war film is Germany’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film category for the 98th Academy Awards [2][3][4]. While it has received praise for its thematic relevance, some critics have noted structural issues compared to Rasoulof’s previous work [2][3][4].
While the exact details of the other two films on the shortlist are not currently available, it is known that they meet the new German Oscar qualification rules, which allow films with at least 25% German financing and significant creative input from German nationals or residents to be eligible [3].
The announcement of the chosen film will be made by German Films, the country's external representative for film, on August 21 [1]. The shortlist of 15 titles for the Best International Feature Film will be announced on December 16, with the nominations following on January 22, 2026 [2]. The awards ceremony itself is scheduled for March 15, 2026 [2].
In the running for the award are also Sam Riley's "Cranko" [3] and a yet-unnamed Mascha Schilinski film that won a prize at Cannes [3].
As the race for the Best International Feature Film heats up, the anticipation surrounding Germany's chosen film continues to grow. With a diverse and compelling selection of films, the country is poised to make a strong showing at the 98th Academy Awards.
[1] German Films Announces German Submission for the 98th Academy Awards [2] Academy Awards 2026: Germany's Shortlist for the Best International Feature Film [3] German Films Shortlists Five Titles for the 98th Academy Awards [4] The Seed of the Sacred Fig: A Critical Analysis of Germany's Official Submission for the Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards
Movies-and-tv are at the forefront of Germany's preparations for the 98th Academy Awards, with Sam Riley's "Cranko" and a Mascha Schilinski film, yet to be named, joining the list of contenders. Entertainment enthusiasts eagerly await the announcement of the chosen German film, as the country aims to make a strong impression in the Best International Feature Film category.
