With the 2027 Oscars on the horizon, several Arab countries have already announced their official submissions for the Best International Feature Film category. From historical dramas and gripping thrillers to stories rooted in migration and life in Gaza, here’s a look at the Arab films hoping to make it to the Academy Awards.
Egypt: Al Qesas
Directed by Abu Bakr Shawky, The Stories is a period drama that spans from 1967 through the 1980s. The film follows a young Cairo pianist whose life takes an unexpected turn after he begins a pen-pal correspondence with an Austrian woman, unfolding a story that bridges cultures and decades.
Morocco: La Más Dulce
Directed by Laila Marrakchi, La Más Dulce follows two young Moroccan women who travel to southern Spain for seasonal work picking strawberries. As they face harsh working conditions and exploitation, the two women are forced to decide whether they should stay silent or speak out against what they’re experiencing.
Palestine: Citizen Osama
Directed by Ahmed Hassouna, Citizen Osama is a documentary centered on Osama Al-Ashi, an artistic photographer who becomes a war documentarian as he records everyday life and survival in northern Gaza. Through his camera, the film offers a personal look at life amid the ongoing devastation.
Iraq: No Paradise If You Are Killed by a Woman
Directed by Halkawt Mustafa, this thriller follows a Kurdish female sniper who returns to Mosul in search of her younger sister, who disappeared during an ISIS assault in 2014. Her search takes her through a tense and dangerous journey as she attempts to uncover what happened to her sister.
With these films bringing deeply personal stories from across the region to the international stage, we can’t help but look forward to seeing how their journeys unfold at the 2027 Oscars. From intimate personal stories to powerful stories of survival, these films offer a glimpse into the many sides of Arab cinema, and we’ll definitely be keeping an eye on what comes next.
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