The race for the Best International Feature Film Oscar is about to heat up, with a lineup full of groundbreaking firsts and remarkable stories—some competing for the very first time, and others making history with their achievements. But here’s where it gets controversial: the selection process is often complex and unpredictable, with many films vying for a spot in this prestigious race. Today marks the start of Deadline’s annual virtual event, Contenders Film: International, where 14 carefully chosen films will be showcased and analyzed. This exclusive event begins at 9 a.m. PT, and you can sign up to watch the live stream through this link: https://deadline.swoogo.com/contendersfilminternational2025.
Many of these films have already made waves in the major international film festivals—such as Sundance, Berlin, Cannes, Venice, Toronto, and San Sebastián—which continue to be key platforms for discovering the world's most compelling cinema. If you're not familiar with the ins and outs of festival accreditation or the significance of industry lanyards, fret not—Deadline is here to guide you through this cinematic journey. Throughout the day, we’ll be speaking with the directors, actors, producers, and writers behind these films, uncovering what makes their work stand out in this highly competitive landscape.
For instance, Poland’s Agnieszka Holland will introduce 'Franz', a lively biopic of the legendary Czech writer Franz Kafka, famous for his surreal and bureaucratic nightmares that have coined the term 'Kafkaesque.' Meanwhile, Switzerland’s Petra Volpe presents 'Late Shift,' a gripping, almost real-time drama following an overworked nurse overwhelmed by her responsibilities. Iraq’s Hasan Hadi offers 'The President’s Cake', set in the 1990s, depicting a young girl forced to celebrate Saddam Hussein’s birthday—a story that promises to shed light on a complex era in Iraqi history.
Other notable entries include Slovakia’s 'Father,' directed by Tereza Nvotová, which explores the heart-wrenching story of a father accidentally leaving his baby girl in a hot car, highlighting a tragic but impactful narrative. Israel’s 'The Sea,' by Shai Carmeli-Pollak, offers a timely tale of a young Palestinian boy navigating his way through a hostile environment to reach the seaside—a story that resonates with current geopolitical tensions. Argentina’s 'Belén,' starring and directed by Dolores Fonzi, revisits the scandal of 2014 when an innocent woman was wrongfully jailed for murder following a miscarriage, adding a nuanced look at justice and gender issues.
The tone of 'The Last Dance,' from Hong Kong’s Anselm Chan, is unexpectedly intimate and poignant—a story about a wedding planner who faces societal pushback when choosing to become a funeral director. Meanwhile, Jordan’s 'All That’s Left of You' by Cherien Dabis spans three generations of a Palestinian family displaced in 1948, exploring themes of exile, identity, and resilience. For a bit of comic relief, South Korea’s Park Chan-wook teams up with Lee Byung-hun for 'No Other Choice,' a sharp and humorous satire on the absurdities brought about by economic downsize.
From across the globe, films such as South Africa’s 'The Heart Is a Muscle,' by Imran Hamdulay, depict a father’s tragic mistake; Slovenia’s 'Little Trouble Girls,' a coming-of-age story about a teenage girl; Italy’s 'Familia,' which explores the intersections of true crime and far-right politics; and Finland’s '100 Liters of Gold,' a quirky comedy about two sisters who accidentally get high on their homemade brew. Lastly, Chile’s 'The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo,' directed by Diego Céspedes, offers a heartfelt exploration of childhood acceptance and loss set during the 1980s.
Throughout the day, follow the event on Deadline.com and social media channels using #DeadlineContenders. On Monday, we will launch the event’s dedicated streaming platform, featuring exclusive panel discussions with the filmmakers.
Here’s a brief of today’s schedule and the participating panelists:
- The President’s Cake (Iraq) with Hasan Hadi (Writer/Director)
- Late Shift (Switzerland) with Petra Volpe (Writer/Director) and Leonie Benesch (Actor)
- Father (Slovakia) with Tereza Nvotová (Writer/Director) and Veronika Paštéková (Producer)
- Little Trouble Girls (Slovenia) with Urška Djukić Lecamus (Writer/Director), Jara Sofija Ostan (Actor), Lev Predan Kowarski (DOP)
- The Last Dance (Hong Kong) with Anselm Chan (Director)
- The Sea (Israel) with Shai Carmeli-Pollak (Writer/Director), Baher Agbariya (Producer)
- 100 Liters of Gold (Finland) with Teemu Nikki (Director/Screenwriter), Elina Knihtilä (Actor), Pirjo Lonka (Actor)
- Belén (Argentina) with Dolores Fonzi (Writer/Director/Actor), Leticia Cristi (Producer)
- Franz (Poland) with Agnieszka Holland (Director/Producer)
- No Other Choice (South Korea) with Park Chan-wook (Writer/Director/Producer)
- The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo (Chile) with Diego Céspedes (Director)
- The Heart is a Muscle (South Africa) with Imran Hamdulay (Writer/Director), Keenan Arrison (Actor), Melissa de Vries (Actor)
- All That’s Left of You (Jordan) with Cherien Dabis (Writer/Director/Producer/Actor)
- Familia (Italy) with Francesco Costabile (Director), Francesco Gheghi (Actor), Barbara Ronchi (Actor)
The world of international cinema is teeming with stories that challenge, inspire, and entertain us—some more controversial than others—but all deserving of a closer look. Which of these films do you think has the potential to break through and make Oscar history? Or do you believe the selection process itself is flawed? Share your thoughts and join the conversation!
