The Academy today released its official list of 201 films eligible for Best Picture consideration at the 2026 Oscars (ceremony March 15).
To qualify, films had to complete a seven-day theatrical run in at least 10 of the top 50 U.S. markets within 45 days of their initial 2025 release, plus meet two of four Academy Representation and Inclusion Standards covering on-screen representation (cast and storylines featuring underrepresented groups), behind-the-scenes crew diversity, industry training opportunities for underrepresented groups, and diversity in marketing/distribution leadership.
Only 10 films will be nominated from this list.
Three Africa-linked films made the cut:
- “On Becoming a Guinea Fowl” (Zambia/UK) – Rungano Nyoni’s Cannes Directors’ Fortnight winner follows a Zambian woman who confronts buried family secrets about sexual abuse during funeral proceedings for her recently-deceased uncle.
- “Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight” (South Africa) – Based on Alexandra Fuller’s memoir, this film follows an eight-year-old white girl on her family’s failing Rhodesian farm during the 1980 election that ended white minority rule in Zimbabwe.
- “The Voice of Hind Rajab” (Tunisia/France) – Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania’s Venice Grand Jury Prize winner reconstructs the final hours of a six-year-old Palestinian girl trapped in a car under Israeli fire in Gaza in January 2024. Tunisia’s Oscar submission, already shortlisted for Best International Feature.
Nominations for all categories will be announced January 22, with voting running January 12-16.
Their Nomination Prospects? Realistically, each of the three films’ Best Picture odds: Very slim to none.
The 98th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
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