Los Angeles: Indian cinema returned to the global awards spotlight with ‘Homebound’ reaching the next round of voting in the International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards.
The Academy announced that fifteen films from around the world have advanced to the next round of voting in the International Feature Film category. India’s ‘Homebound’ includes entries from Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Norway, Palestine, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan and Tunisia.
Other shortlisted films included Belen (Argentina), The Secret Agent (Brazil), It Was Just an Accident (France), Sound of Falling (Germany), The President’s Cake (Iraq), Kokuho (Japan), All That’s Left of You (Jordan), Sentimental Value (Norway), Palestine 36 (Palestine), No Other Choice (South Korea), Sirat (Spain), Late shifts included. (Switzerland), Left-Handed Girl (Taiwan) and The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia).
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Announcing the update, the Academy’s official social media handle posted, “Fifteen films advanced to the next round of voting in the International Feature Film category. Here they are on the map…”
The final nominations for the Academy Awards will be announced on Thursday, January 22.
‘Homebound’ has received critical global acclaim, including premieres at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival and Melbourne International Film Festival.
With the recent Oscar shortlist, ‘Homebound’ has now achieved a rare feat, becoming the fifth film from Indian cinema to be shortlisted for Best International Feature Film in the 98-year history of the Academy Awards.
Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa starrer ‘Homebound’ has been selected among the 15 films that have become eligible for final nomination in the International Feature Film category at Oscars 2026.
Ishaan shared this proud moment on his Instagram stories.
The inclusion of ‘Homebound’ in the prestigious shortlist is a significant moment for the country’s film industry.
The website of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) states, “Fifteen films will advance to the next round of voting in the International Feature Film category for the 98th Academy Awards. Films from 86 countries or territories were eligible in this category.”
‘Homebound’ is the story of childhood friends Shoaib (Ishaan Khatter) and Chandan (Vishal Jethwa) whose shared dream of joining the police force shapes their lives, with Janhvi Kapoor adding emotional depth to the story based on friendship, duty and the pressures faced by young India.
Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, the film is produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawala and Apoorva Mehta, and co-produced by Marijke D’Souza and Melita Toscan du Plantier, with Martin Scorsese and Praveen Khairnar serving as executive producers.