May 4, 2026 3:49am PT

Iranian Independent Filmmakers Association Hails New Oscar Rules in International Feature Category as ‘Major Victory’

Nick Vivarelli

Plus Icon

Nick Vivarelli

International Correspondent

@NickVivarelli

Latest

Iranian Independent Filmmakers Association Hails New Oscar Rules in International Feature Category as ‘Major Victory’

3 hours ago

As War Rages, Iranian Cinema Takes on Fresh Urgency: ‘We Have to Process What We’ve Been Through’

3 days ago

Abel Ferrara, Raika Hazanavicius, Giovanni De Maria Set for Angelica Gallo’s Gritty Feature Debut ‘The Night Burns’ (EXCLUSIVE)

4 days ago

See All

Getty

The Iranian Independent Filmmakers Association (IIFMA) is hailing new rules announced on Friday by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences pertaining to the international feature category as a “major victory.”

Going forward the Oscars are allowing submissions from individual directors, not just entries designated by selection committees in different countries.

The new rules that will go into effect for the 99th Oscars set for 2027 state that there are now two ways to submit a film for consideration. In addition to a film being submitted as an official selection by a country or region via the Academy-approved selection committees in each country, a non-English language film can now be submitted by winning a qualifying award at selected major international film festivals. The qualifying festivals ad wards for the 99th Oscars are: the Berlin International Film Festival (Golden Bear for Best Film); Busan International Film Festival (Busan Award – Best Film Award); Cannes Film Festival (Palme d’Or); Sundance Film Festival (World Cinema Grand Jury Prize); Toronto International Film Festival (Platform Award) and Venice International Film Festival (Golden Lion).

Iranian Independent Filmmakers Association Hails New Oscar Rules in International Feature Category as 'Major Victory'