How India ended up with two films in the Oscar race for best international feature
For decades, the route to the Oscar for Best International Feature Film has been straightforward: each country selects one film to represent it at the Academy Awards. But this year, India has two films in the race. Marathi thriller Gondhal , directed by Santosh Davakhar, was selected from 33 contenders as India's official submission for the 99th Academy Awards , to be held in March next year. But…
India has secured two films in the race for the Best International Feature Film Oscar this year, thanks to a recent rule change introduced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Marathi thriller Gondhal, directed by Santosh Davakhar, was selected as India's official submission, while Angh, a Nagaland-set drama directed by Rio, won the Platform Prize at the Toronto International Film Festival and now competes independently.
Angh's journey to the Oscar race began with Rio's feature directorial debut, inspired by a short film he made in 2018. The film portrays the 1960s in Nagaland, focusing on a Konyak village chief and his son as their traditional way of life is threatened by an American Christian missionary. The Toronto jury praised Angh for its "refreshing perspective, strength of filmmaking, and deeply resonant portrait of a world," highlighting the filmmaker's "vision, audacity, and courage."
Gondhal, rooted in a traditional Maharashtrian ritual and folk performance, centers on Suman, desperate to escape an abusive marriage, and her lover's plan to kill her husband and start a new life. Selected from 33 submissions, Gondhal was chosen by the Film Federation of India to represent India at the Oscars. Davakhar won the Silver Peacock for Best Director at the International Film Festival of India.
The Academy's rule change, announced in May, aims to increase the selection process's inclusivity, particularly for countries with diverse film industries like India. Previously reliant on national or regional selection committees, the new system allows non-English-language films to be submitted if they win one of six designated prizes at major international film festivals, including the Platform Prize at Toronto.
Both Gondhal and Angh must now navigate the Academy's voting process to reach the final five nominees for the best international feature category. The shortlist deadline is September 30, with preliminary voting from December 7 to 11 and the shortlist announcement on December 15. Nominations voting will occur from January 11 to 15, and the final five nominees will be announced on January 21, with the 99th Academy Awards taking place on March 14, 2027.
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