The question on every film fan's mind: which movie will follow in the footsteps of Jafar Panahi's 'Un simple accident' to become France's official submission for the 2027 Oscars? The answer will come next week, but for now, the CNC (Centre National du Cinéma et de l'image animée) has released the five films vying for the prestigious spot.

Here is the official shortlist, presented in alphabetical order:

  • La Bataille de Gaulle – L'Âge de fer by Antonin Baudry (Pathé Films)
  • Le Corset by Louis Clichy (Eddy Cinéma)
  • La Gradiva by Marine Atlan (Les Films du Poisson)
  • L’Inconnue by Arthur Harari (Bathysphère Productions and To Be Continued)
  • Minotaure by Andreï Zviaguintsev (CG Cinéma and MK Productions)

The final selection will be announced next Wednesday, September 16th.

Criteria for Representing France at the Oscars

Among the surprises this year is the inclusion of a director of foreign nationality, mirroring last year's selection. This often raises questions, but the CNC clarifies the rules. According to the official criteria from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, a film is eligible for the International Feature Film Oscar if it meets the following conditions:

  • Length: A feature-length film (fiction, animation, or documentary) defined by the Academy as over 40 minutes, produced outside the United States and its territories.
  • Creative Control: The majority of creative control must be exercised by French citizens, or individuals with resident, refugee, or asylum status in France.
  • Language: More than 50% of the dialogue must be in a language other than English. This language does not necessarily have to be French.
  • Release: The film must have been released in French cinemas between October 1, 2026, and September 30, 2027, for at least seven consecutive days in the same cinema, according to standard French practices.

What Are the Next Steps for the Oscars 2027?

It's important to remember that this is just a pre-selection. Once France's official candidate is chosen, the next major milestone will be on December 15th, when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announces its preliminary shortlist of 15 films for the Best International Feature Film category. Film enthusiasts will then have to wait until January 21, 2027, to find out if the French submission has secured an official nomination. The 98th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on March 14, 2027.