The Spanish film ‘Sirât’, directed by Oliver Laxe, has been shortlisted in five categories for the Oscars, marking a historic milestone for Spanish cinema. Alongside it, the Argentine ‘Belén’ is contending for best international feature, and the animated short ‘El fantasma de la quinta’ has also made the list. The final nominations will be announced on January 22.
On December 16, 2025, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the shortlists for several categories of the 2026 Oscars. The Spanish film ‘Sirât’, directed by Oliver Laxe, has been shortlisted in five: best international feature, original score, sound, cinematography, and casting—the latter a new category introduced in 2024. This is the first time a Spanish production has achieved so many pre-selections, surpassing the four of ‘La sociedad de la nieve’ in 2023.
‘Sirât’ follows a father, played by Sergi López, and his younger son as they desperately search for the missing older daughter at an illegal rave in the Moroccan desert. The cast is mostly non-professional actors, which stands out in the casting category. Oliver Laxe, in an interview with EL PAÍS during the opening of his installation ‘Hu/Bailad como si nadie os viera’ at Madrid’s Reina Sofía Museum, expressed gratitude: “I’m enjoying it” and “I’m a blessed filmmaker.” He reflected on awards: “We in cinema give ourselves so many awards, don’t we? Almost too many,” but acknowledged the respect earned since Cannes.
In the best international feature category, ‘Sirât’ competes with 14 others, including the Argentine ‘Belén’ by Dolores Fonzi, which tells the true story of a young woman imprisoned for an abortion in Tucumán. Leticia Cristi, producer of ‘Belén’, shared her joy: “Happy, happy. Pride in this story and our cinema.”
Another Spanish success is the animated short ‘El fantasma de la quinta’, directed by James A. Castillo and narrated by Maribel Verdú. Premiered at Tribeca, it recreates Francisco de Goya’s final days in the Quinta del Sordo, haunted by ghosts inspiring his Black Paintings. Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’ also shines with pre-selections in makeup, casting, cinematography, sound, visual effects, and score.
From 86 initial entries, only 15 remain for the final nominations on January 22, with the ceremony in March 2026.
