Film Switzerland among the 86 countries in the running for the foreign Oscar
Film entries from 86 countries, including Switzerland, are competing for the so-called Foreign Oscar in 2026. Switzerland is sending "Heroine" with leading actress Leonie Benesch into the race, as announced by the Oscar Academy.
22.11.2025, 00:46
SDA
At the last Academy Awards, 85 countries met the guidelines for the competition in the "International Feature Film" category. The Swiss hospital drama "Heldin" is one step closer to the 98th Academy Awards next March. In December, the Oscar Academy in Beverly, California, will announce whether "Heldin" has made it onto the international shortlist.
The performance of the German lead actress Leonie Benesch was one of the factors that persuaded the Federal Office of Culture to enter the film in the Oscar race, as it announced in August. The Federal Office also praised the work of Swiss screenwriter and director Petra Volpe as a "thoroughly captivating drama". The main character impressively illustrates the enormous challenges faced by healthcare workers worldwide.
Alongside Switzerland, Germany is represented at the 98th Academy Awards with the drama "Looking into the Sun". France is competing with "It Was Just an Accident" by Iranian director Jafar Panahi, Norway with the family drama "Sentimental Value", Spain with the road movie "Sirât" and Brazil with the thriller "The Secret Agent".
Preselection in December
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will select 15 films from the applications for a "shortlist", which will be announced on December 16. Five of these films will then be nominated for the final round on January 22. The 98th Academy Awards will take place on March 15, 2026.
The trophy for Best International Film went to the Brazilian drama "Forever Here" by Walter Salles at the last ceremony. Switzerland was in the running for the Foreign Oscar with the coming-of-age drama "Reinas" by director Klaudia Reynicke, but did not make it onto the shortlist. "Reinas" was named Best Feature Film at the 2025 Swiss Film Awards.
