The American Academy of Cinema Sciences and Arts announced the shortlist for many categories on the evening of December 16 local time (morning of December 17, Vietnam time). In the category of Best International Film, 15 works were selected from a total of 86 countries and territories that were eligible to participate.
According to international film sites, this year's Oscar season is considered particularly fierce as it brings together many outstanding candidates. Many works have won awards at major film festivals or achieved impressive commercial success in the domestic market.
Countries with films on the shortlist include: Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, India, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Norway, Palestine, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan (China) and Cambodia.
"Red Rain" is a film directed by Dang Thai Huyen with a script by writer Chu Lai, set in the fierce battlefield of Quang Tri in 1972,
Before being selected to go to the Oscars, this work created a box office fever. The film reached a record of VND710 billion in revenue and attracted more than 8.1 million viewers, becoming one of the most popular films in the history of domestic cinema.
Regarding the opportunity at the 2026 Oscar, director Dang Thai Huyen once expressed a frank view, not "illuding" about the work's ability to advance further. The female director emphasized that the film being on the list of 86 films eligible for the award was a great encouragement, affirming the efforts of Vietnamese cinema to integrate into the international arena.
Previously, many directors who sent films to the Oscars affirmed that just being able to send films to the contest was enough to have fun, not daring to dream of winning awards. The directors said that winning an Oscar is still a long way for Vietnamese cinema.
Vietnamese films need to integrate technology and production methods according to international standards, at the same time, need unique scripts, multi-layered storytelling methods, many mysteries, with unique cinematic language.
Although Korean cinema has developed strongly and has a strong industry, it has gone a long way to get "Parasite" to Oscar.
"Parasite" (original title parasite) is told with a metaphorical style by director Bong Joon Ho. The film focuses on the decentralization and class conflict in modern society in Korea.
Currently, in this year's Oscar shortlist, there is one more representative from Korea.
In Asia, Iranian cinema has become a phenomenon, analyzed by international critics, "divided" when for many consecutive years, they have won the Oscar in the category of Outstanding Foreign Language Film, such as: A Separation, The Salesman...
International critics believe that Iranian films tell stories imbued with national character, but are told with special cinematic language, touching the hearts of world audiences.
This year, Iranian cinema is not on the final shortlist. The 15 films on the shortlist will continue to enter the next round of voting. The official list of nominees for the 98th Academy Awards will be announced on January 22, 2026, and the awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on March 15, 2026.
