Oscars shortlists: European films frontrunners for Best International Feature

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has unveiled shortlists in 10 categories, including for Best International Feature Film – a category that is one of the most interesting as it showcases the very best of cinema from around the world.

And let’s face facts, most of the best movies tend to make the cut. In recent years, Alfonso Cuarón’s Roma (2018), Bong Joon-ho's Parasite(2019) and Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Drive My Car (2021) all won the coveted Oscar for Best International Film – and they were hands down the best of their respective years.

There weren’t many surprises or outrageous snubs this year, with Jacques Audiard’s already award-winning and Golden Globe-nominated transgender cartel musical Emilia Pérez advancing alongside The Seed of the Sacred Fig, Santosh, Flow and Berlinale winner Dahomey.

From the looks of the shortlist, which will be whittled down to five when the full Oscar nominations are announced on Friday 17 January, the frontrunners are European, with the aformentioned Emilia Pérez representing France, The Girl with the Needle(Denmark), The Seed of the Sacred Fig (Germany) and Kneecap (Ireland).

Elsewhere, I’m Still Here – Brazilian director Walter Salles’ comeback – is another favourite, a moving and fact-based story of desaparecidos during military-ruled Brazil in the 70s, told from the perspective of those left behind.

Here’s the full shortlist of contenders for Best International Feature:

• I’m Still Here (Brazil)
• Universal Language (Canada) 
• Waves (Czech Republic) 
• The Girl with the Needle (Denmark) 
• Emilia Pérez (France) 
• The Seed of the Sacred Fig (Germany) 
• Touch (Iceland) 
• Kneecap (Ireland) 
• Vermiglio (Italy) 
• Flow (Latvia) 
• Armand (Norway) 
• From Ground Zero (Palestine) 
• Dahomey (Senegal) 
• How to Make Millions before Grandma Dies (Thailand) 
• Santosh (United Kingdom)

If we were to get out our crystal balls, we’re betting on I’m Still Here, Emilia Pérez, The Seed of the Sacred Fig, Kneecap and From Ground Zero to get the final five nominations.

Stay tuned to Euronews Culture for our Best Movies of 2024 end of year list, which features many of these nominees.

The 97th Academy Awards nominees will be announced on Friday 17 January and the Oscars, hosted by Conan O’Brien, will be held on Sunday 2 March.