Monday, May 4, 2026
Home / Entertainment / Iranian Independent Filmmakers Association Hails ...
Entertainment

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

CN
CitrixNews Staff
·
Iranian Independent Filmmakers Association  Hails New Oscar Rules in International Feature Category as ‘Major Victory’
May 4, 2026 3:49am PT Iranian Independent Filmmakers Association Hails New Oscar Rules in International Feature Category as ‘Major Victory’

Plus Icon

Nick Vivarelli

International Correspondent

@NickVivarelli See All Panahi/Rasoulof 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).

Related Stories

Jason Schwartzman and Aubrey Plaza in 'Kevin'

Animated Comedy 'Kevin' Is an Enjoyably Chaotic Feline Coming-of-Age: TV Review

Originally reported by Variety