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Preparations for the 98th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category are already underway. Since mid-August, countries around the world have been submitting their entries, and by mid-September, competition is heating up.

As of September 15, Deadline reported that 48 films had already entered the race, with 80 to 90 expected by the final submission deadline on October 1. For comparison, 86 countries submitted films for the 97th Academy Awards, with 15 making the shortlist and five ultimately earning nominations. Last year, Brazil’s I’m Still Here, directed by Walter Salles, won the award, beating frontrunner Emilia Pérez.

Eligibility requirements remain strict: films must be produced outside the U.S., at least 51% of the dialogue must be in a non-English language, and the film must have been theatrically screened in the submitting country for at least seven consecutive days between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025.

Armenia has submitted the documentary My Armenian Phantoms, directed by Tamara Stepanyan. The film explores Armenian cinema through Stepanyan’s personal memories of growing up in the family of Vigen Stepanyan—one of Armenia’s most respected actors and theater directors—and a virtuoso cellist.

My Armenian Phantoms had its world premiere at the 2025 Berlinale, screening in the Forum section. Armenia has been a regular participant in the international Oscar race since 2001 and received its first nomination in 2023 for Amerikatsi.

The shortlist of 15 films will be announced on December 16, 2025, with the official Oscar nominations revealed on January 22, 2026.

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