The Academy will reveal its shortlist of 15 international films on December 15th, with Oscar nominations to follow on January 21st. A new Academy rule has added an intriguing twist to the selection process: any film that secures the top prize at one of the six major festivals—Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Sundance, Busan, and Toronto—can now be entered into the international feature race without requiring national committee backing.

Here's a closer look at some of the prominent submissions making waves:

Israel: "Tell Me Everything"

Moshe Rosenthal's "Tell Me Everything" has earned Israel's automatic submission after being voted Best Picture at the country's Ophir Awards. Rosenthal's sophomore feature, which premiered at Sundance in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition, is set in the 1980s against the backdrop of the rising HIV epidemic. The film follows 12-year-old Boaz (Yair Mazor) as he uncovers a devastating secret about his father. As an adult, Boaz (Ido Tako) and his father (Assi Cohen) navigate their complicated relationship in an attempt to heal old wounds.

Romania: "Fjord"

Cristian Mungiu's "Fjord" was unanimously chosen as Romania's submission for the 2027 Oscars. The film made a significant impact at the Cannes Film Festival, where it not only premiered in official competition but also took home the prestigious Palme d'Or for Best Film, alongside the FIPRESCI Prize, the Ecumenical Jury Prize, the Prix de la Citoyenneté, and the François Chalais Prize. Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve lead the cast, with cinematography by Tudor Vladimir Panduru.

Ireland: "Aontas"

Damian McCann's Irish-language heist thriller, "Aontas," is Ireland's official entry. Selected by the Irish Film & TV Academy (IFTA), the film is told in reverse chronology, chronicling three unlikely thieves — led by a woman on the verge of a breakdown — who rob a rural Irish bank. What begins as a botched robbery evolves into a poignant portrait of a strong-willed woman grappling with her past. The cast includes Carrie Crowley, Bríd Brennan, and Eva-Jane Gaffney.

Chile: "The Meltdown" ("El deshielo")

Manuela Martelli's post-Pinochet mystery drama, "The Meltdown," has been chosen by Chile's Film Academy. The film, a follow-up to Martelli's acclaimed "Chile, 1976," had its world premiere in Cannes' Un Certain Regard section this year. It stars Maya O’Rourke in her film debut as a nine-year-old at a family ski resort who witnesses unsettling events that challenge her loyalties.

Japan: "All of a Sudden"

Hamaguchi Ryusuke's "All of a Sudden" will represent Japan, marking Hamaguchi's second submission after "Drive My Car" won the International Feature Oscar. This France-Japan co-production, with backing from Germany and Belgium and largely shot in Paris, is inspired by a book of correspondence. It follows Marie-Lou Fontaine (Virginie Efira), who manages a nursing home focusing on dignity-centered elderly care, and Morisaki Mari (Okamoto Tao), a Japanese theater director undergoing cancer treatment.

Germany: "Everytime"

Sandra Wollner's "Everytime" is Germany's pick for the international feature category. The film celebrated its world premiere at the 79th Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Prix Un Certain Regard, the section's top award. It later received the Heart of Sarajevo Grand Prize and will have its North American premiere at the Toronto Film Festival. The synopsis describes Ella's journey after losing her daughter Jessie, as an unlikely trio navigates a family holiday in Tenerife, where memory and the present become intertwined.

Cambodia: "Becoming Human"

Polen Ly's directorial debut, "Becoming Human," has been chosen by the Cambodia Oscar Selection Committee (COSC). The film follows Thida, the spirit guardian of an old cinema facing demolition, as she contemplates rebirth versus her existence as a ghost. Her connection with a living man, Hai, compels her to confront both her spiritual destiny and a nation undergoing profound social transformation. The cast features newcomer Savorn Serak and Piseth Chhun.

South Korea: "Possible Love"

Lee Chang-dong's "Possible Love" marks his return to feature filmmaking after eight years, following acclaimed works like "Burning" and "Poetry." Selected by the Korean Film Council (KOFIC), the film centers on two married couples whose lives intersect after a funeral. The committee praised the film's polished craftsmanship, clear directorial vision, and its ability to prompt reflection on subtle forms of violence, incomplete freedom, and the nature of true happiness.

Turkey: "Like a Limbless Tree"

Tunç Davut's intimate social drama, "Like a Limbless Tree," is Turkey's entry. The film, which won an award at the Bosphorus Film Festival, delves into the fragility of human existence amidst themes of immigration. It tells the story of Refik, a retired engineer diagnosed with a terminal illness, whose life is upended when his Syrian caregiver disappears while attempting to flee to Europe, leaving him responsible for her two children.

Lithuania: "How to Divorce During the War"

Andrius Blaževičius' "How to Divorce During the War" has been selected as Lithuania's submission. The film earned the directing award in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the Sundance Film Festival and is set for North American theatrical release. The story, set in Vilnius in 2022, follows high-flying executive Marija as she chooses to discuss divorce with her husband Vytas just one day before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, forcing them to navigate their separation amidst a refugee crisis and mid-life challenges.