Iraq Celebrates First International Feature Oscar Shortlist with ‘The President’s Cake’

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced a shortlist of 15 films competing for this year’s Best International Feature Film Oscar, narrowed down from a pool of 86 eligible entries. This selection will move forward to the next round of voting, which will determine the final five nominees.

Among the notable selections is The President’s Cake, the first-ever submission from Iraq, directed by Hasan Hadi. The film made its premiere at the Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes, where it was honored with the Audience Award and the prestigious Camera d’Or for Best Debut Feature. Despite Iraq’s previous submissions to the Oscars since 2005, none had progressed to this stage until now.

In late May, Sony Pictures Classics acquired the North American, Latin American, Eastern European, Southeast Asian, and Indian distribution rights for The President’s Cake.

The shortlist also includes anticipated titles such as Sentimental Value from Norway, The Secret Agent from Brazil, It Was Just an Accident from France, Sirât from Spain, No Other Choice from South Korea, and The Voice of Hind Rajab from Tunisia.

Notably absent from the shortlist are films like Italy’s Familia, Hong Kong’s The Last Dance, and the UK’s My Father’s Shadow.

While the International Feature shortlist has gained attention, documentaries such as 2000 Meters to Andriivka have been included in separate categories.

The complete list of films shortlisted for the 2026 Best International Feature Film is as follows:

Argentina: Belén
Brazil: The Secret Agent
France: It Was Just an Accident
Germany: Sound of Falling
India: Homebound
Iraq: The President’s Cake
Japan: Kokuho
Jordan: All That’s Left of You
Norway: Sentimental Value
Palestine: Palestine 36
South Korea: No Other Choice
Spain: Sirât
Switzerland: Late Shift
Taiwan: Left-Handed Girl
Tunisia: The Voice of Hind Rajab