{
  "id": 3498690,
  "title": "‘9 Temples to Heaven’ chosen as Thailand’s Oscar entry",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/9-temples-to-heaven-chosen-as-thailands-oscar-entry",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-26T11:18:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Khaosod English",
    "slug": "khaosod-english",
    "url": "https://www.khaosodenglish.com/life/entertainment/2026/08/26/9-temples-to-heaven-chosen-as-thailands-oscar-entry/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Thai director Sompot Chidgasornpongse's film 9 Temples to Heaven has been chosen as Thailand's submission for the 99th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. The film will be premiering in Thai theaters on September 17, 2026, after its world debut at the Cannes Film Festival.\n\nThe narrative centers on a family of nine members who embark on a day-long pilgrimage to visit nine temples, following an ominous prophecy that their grandmother may pass away before her upcoming birthday. Their quest to earn merit and avert misfortune unveils generational conflicts and varying beliefs within the family. The movie premiered in the Directors' Fortnight section at the Cannes Film Festival in May and has since been showcased at international film festivals.\n\n9 Temples to Heaven won accolades, including Best Director for Sompot and Best Actor for Sompop Songkampol, at the Shanghai International Film Festival, and ultimately Best Film at the New Zealand International Film Festival. The director revealed that the story was rooted in his personal experiences visiting temples with family and witnessing the disparities in beliefs and perspectives across generations. \"I believe many audiences will find themselves reflected in the film and its nine lead characters, as will members of their own families,\" Sompot remarked.\n\nSompot Chidgasornpongse made his feature film debut with this project, which he spent nine years developing. Kick the Machine Films, At A Time Pictures, and international co-production partners jointly financed the film. The 99th Academy Awards will be held in 2027, with the nominations for Best International Feature Film to be announced later.",
  "summary": "Thai film 9 Temples to Heaven, directed by Sompot Chidgasornpongse, has been selected as Thailand’s entry for the 99th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. The selection was made by the National Federation of Motion Pictures and Contents Associations. The film will open in Thai cinemas on 17 September 2026, following its […] The post ‘9 Temples to Heaven’ chosen as…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}