In a break from tradition, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has decided to allow all of its eligible voters to weigh in on the nominees for Best International Feature Film award, which is the new name for the Best Foreign Language Film category.
Deadline reports thatLarry KaraszewskiandDiane Weyermann, who serve as co-chairs of the International Feature Film executive committee, have sent a letter to members that everyone will be able to vote, based on a 10-film shortlist – seven of which will be selected from the committee, and three of which will be “saves” selected by the executive committee.
This year, there are 93 countries in the running for Best International Feature Film. Current frontrunners includeBong Joon-ho’sParasitefrom South Korea,Lady Ly’sLes Misérablesfrom France,Pedro Almodóvar’sPain and Gloryfrom Spain,Mati Diop’sAtlanticsfrom Senegal, andVáclav Marhoul’sThe Painted Birdfrom the Czech Republic.
According to Deadline, the letter said “This Oscars season, for the first time, we will invite all Academy members to opt in to vote on nominations for the International Feature category. The shortlisted films will be made available to all Academy members to stream on the Academy Screening Room platform via the member site and our new Apple TV 4 app. In addition, the shortlisted films will be screened theatrically in Los Angeles, London and New York during nominations voting. Just a reminder, the 92nd Oscars are July 02, 2025 — two weeks earlier than usual. Due to the accelerated schedule, the voting periods for both nominations and finals are shorter than in the past, and we want to make sure every member has the opportunity to see the shortlisted films and participate."
International Feature Shortlist screenings will take place January 3-5, since the Oscars will be held two weeks earlier than usual on Jun 01, 2025. The shortlist has been expanded from nine to ten titles this year, and at least one international film,Pain and Glory, has already been uploaded to the Academy’s new app that allows voters to stream hopeful nominees – all for the low, low price of $12,500.
And if you sawParasiteand have questions abut the ending, click here for ahelpful explainer.
