Explainer: How a Film Gets Oscar Nomination for International Feature Film
India’s official entry Homebound sparks interest in how films qualify for the Oscars’ International Feature Film category. Here’s the full process explained.
Introduction: A New Indian Contender for the Oscars
India has once again set its sights on Hollywood’s most prestigious prize—the Academy Award. The Film Federation of India (FFI) has chosen Neeraj Ghaywan’s Hindi film Homebound as the country’s official entry for the 2026 Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. Produced by Karan Johar and Adar Poonawalla, with executive producer Martin Scorsese lending global weight, the film is already building Oscar buzz after festival success at Cannes, Toronto, and Melbourne.
But the big question is—how exactly does a film secure an Oscar nomination in this fiercely competitive category?
The Journey to Becoming India’s Official Entry
Every year, the Film Federation of India is authorized to pick one film to represent the country at the Academy Awards. For 2026, Homebound was selected from among 24 films in different Indian languages.
The jury, chaired by filmmaker N. Chandra, unanimously chose Ghaywan’s film, which has already earned accolades worldwide. Inspired by journalist Basharat Peer’s moving article in The New York Times, the film tells a story of friendship, loss, and resilience during the pandemic—universal themes that resonate with global audiences.
India has previously made it to the final five just three times—Mother India (1958), Salaam Bombay! (1989), and Lagaan (2001). Whether Homebound can break that two-decade drought remains to be seen.
What Qualifies a Film for the International Feature Film Award?
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has strict rules for entries in the International Feature Film category:
- Language Requirement: At least 50% of the dialogue must be in a non-English language.
- Production: Must be produced outside the United States and its territories.
- Length: Over 40 minutes (feature-length).
- Eligible Release Dates: Between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025.
- Theatrical Run: Must play in a commercial cinema for at least seven consecutive days with paid admission. Interestingly, the Academy allows this run to be outside the country of origin, but not in the U.S.
- Selection Process: Each country can submit only one film, chosen by a recognized national body like the FFI in India.
Both animated and documentary features are eligible, provided they meet the above requirements.
The Voting Process: From Shortlist to Final Five
Once countries submit their entries, the Academy begins a rigorous two-stage voting process:
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First Round – Shortlisting
- All Academy members who opt in must view a minimum number of entries.
- Members vote by ranking up to 15 films.
- The top 15 films advance to the next round.
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Second Round – Nomination
- Members must watch all 15 shortlisted films before voting.
- They then select up to five films in order of preference.
- The five films with the highest votes become the official Oscar nominees.
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Final Voting
- Only members who have viewed all five nominated films may vote.
- The winner is announced at the Oscars, with the statuette awarded to the director on behalf of the country.
Expert Insight: Why Homebound Stands Out
Film critic Meera Joshi explains,
“The International Feature Film race isn’t just about artistic merit—it’s also about global appeal and visibility. Homebound has both: a compelling universal story and the backing of international icons like Martin Scorsese. Its strong festival circuit performance significantly boosts its chances.”
Industry analysts also point out that a film’s campaign strategy—including global screenings, media visibility, and Academy outreach—plays a crucial role in advancing to the nomination stage.
What This Means for Indian Cinema
If Homebound manages to make it into the final five, it would mark India’s return to the category after more than two decades. Beyond recognition, an Oscar nomination can elevate careers, expand distribution, and spotlight the richness of Indian storytelling for global audiences.
However, the road ahead is tough. Each year, around 90 countries submit films, making competition extremely stiff. Historically, European and Latin American films have dominated the category, but recent wins for South Korea’s Parasite (2020) and Japan’s Drive My Car (2022) show that Asian cinema can capture Academy voters’ imagination.
Conclusion: A Long Road, But New Hope
The selection of Homebound has reignited hope that India may finally add another title to its short but significant list of Oscar-nominated films. With a powerful narrative, critical acclaim, and international visibility, it has the elements needed to make a strong bid.
Whether it reaches the Dolby Theatre stage on March 15, 2026, remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: the film’s journey already represents a major milestone for Indian cinema on the global stage.
Disclaimer: This article is an independent explainer based on official Academy rules and publicly available information. It does not represent the views of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences or the Film Federation of India.