Spain's International Oscar Shortlist Omits Almodóvar, Includes Cannes Winners
Spain has shortlisted three films for the 2027 Oscars international feature category: 'The Beloved', 'The Black Ball', and 'Sundays'. Pedro Almodóvar's 'Bitter Christmas' was not included despite being a Cannes entry. The final selection will be announced on Sept. 16.
The Spanish Academy's three-way shortlist reflects a notably competitive national field, with each contender arriving with significant festival pedigree. Both "The Beloved" and "The Black Ball" emerged as Cannes breakouts, the latter earning its directors the festival's best director prize, while "Sundays" swept Spain's Goya awards and claimed the Golden Shell at San Sebastián. The trio now awaits a final decision on Sept. 16.
Almodóvar's exclusion stands as the shortlist's most striking development, given his Cannes competition placement and international profile. The eventual Spanish submission will join a global race, with the Academy's 15-film shortlist due Dec. 15, nominees announced Jan. 21, 2027, and the ceremony set for March 14, 2027.
This shortlist could reshape how international audiences perceive contemporary Spanish cinema, particularly if the eventual pick favors emerging voices over established auteurs like Almodóvar. The inclusion of a gay war epic backed by Netflix may signal shifting industry priorities toward streaming-driven awards campaigns. For Spanish filmmakers, the selection may influence future production financing and international distribution opportunities, while audiences could gain exposure to more diverse national narratives than past submissions have offered.