The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Oscar) has announced the list of 15 films shortlisted in the international feature category. This year, the film "Shambala" directed by Meen Bahadur Bham, which was recommended from Nepal, has been left out of the Oscar race.

This film is the first Nepali film to be selected for the main category of the Berlin International Film Festival. Similarly, Kiran Rao's film 'Lapatta Ladies', which was recommended for Oscars from India, was also not included in the 'shortlist'. These are the 15 films shortlisted in the international feature film category.

I'm Still Hair (Brazil)

This film based on political biography is directed by Walter Salles. This film is based on the book 'Aindo Esto Aki' published in 2015 by Marcello Rubens Paiva. This film tells about the events of the 1971 military regime in Brazil. In the film, Fernanda Torres plays the role of Eunice Paiva, who is in search of her missing husband. The

film received critical acclaim when it premiered at the Venice International Film Festival. Actress Fernanda Torres' performance in the film was highly appreciated. Released on 7 November 2024 in Brazil, the film had a box office collection of $10.1 million.

Universal Language (Canada)

The film 'Universal Language' is a 2024 Canadian comedy-drama. Which is directed by Matthew Rankin. The film connects three unique stories. The film premiered at the 2024 77th Cannes Film Festival on May 18. It was also screened at the 49th Toronto International Film Festival. The film also won the Audience Award at the Cannes Film Festival and the Best Award at the Melbourne International Film Festival.

Waves (Czech Republic)

'Waves' 024 is a historical thriller drama film. It is directed by Jiri Maadi. The film is set during the Prague Spring and the subsequent annexation of Czechoslovakia. The world premiere of this film was held at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. The film won the Audience Award at the festival. The story of the film is based on the International Life editorial office of Czechoslovak Radio.

The Girl with the Needle (Denmark)

This film is a historical psychological film of the year 2024. It is directed by Magnus von Horn. This film is based on the true story of Danish serial killer Dagmar Overby. Who adopted children from poor mothers and killed them.

The story of the film is based on an incident that happened in Denmark in 1921. The film premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.

Emilia Perez (France)

Emilia Perez is a French comedy film. Written and directed by Jacques Audiard. This film is based on Boris Rajon's novel 'Ikut' published in 2018. A powerful leader asks his lawyer to help him change his gender. The film focuses on this story. The film stars Joey Saldanya, Carla Sofia Gascon, Selena Gomez, Adriana Paz, Mark Ivanir and Edgar Ramirez in the lead roles. The

film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on 18 May 2024. This movie was released on August 21, 2024. The film received positive reviews.

The Seed of the Sacred Fig (Germany)

This film is a political thriller film. Which is written and directed by Iranian director Mohammad Rasulof. The film has the story of an investigating judge. Who is working in the Revolutionary Court of Tehran. The film also includes scenes of actual Iranian protests. Which was forcefully suppressed by the Iranian government. The story of the film depicts the uncertainty and stress of a judge and his family. This film premiered on May 24, 2024 at the Cannes Film Festival.

Touch (Iceland)

'Touch' is a 2024 romantic drama film. It is directed by Baltasar Kormakur. This film is based on the novel published in 2022 by Ólafur Johan Ólafsson. In the film, there is a love story of an Icelandic young man named Christopher. Who goes to London School of Economics to study. There, he meets Takahashi, the owner of a Japanese restaurant, and his daughter, Miko, and falls in love. In the story, after 50 years, Christopher returns to Iceland and goes in search of his old love, Miko.

Nicap (Ireland)

'Nicap' is a comedy drama. It was written and directed by Rich Peppiatt. The film depicts the rise of Nicap, an Irish hip-hop group from Northern Ireland. The members of the said group have acted themselves in it. In the story, Liam O'Hannaidh and Nays O'Kairalline live in Belfast in the late 2010s. They learn Irish. One day, Liam starts a hip-hop group in the Irish language together with JJ Docharti. This group promotes political messages and the Irish language through their music. As a result, they get into controversy and are threatened by the Republican group. The film highlights the Irish cultural struggle, linguistic identity and the political consciousness of the youth.

Vermiglio (Italy)

Vermiglio (2024) is an Italian drama film. Directed, written and co-produced by Maura Delpero. The film premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival. The film is based on the story of the village of Vermiglio in 1944, where an escaped soldier visits the family of Pietro, a local teacher. He falls in love with the teacher's eldest daughter. This relationship has a deep impact on everyone's life.

Flow (Latvia)

'Flow' is an animated fantasy film. It is directed by Gints Zilbalodis. There is no dialogue in this film. The film received much acclaim when it premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. The film also received European Film Awards, New York Film Critics Circle Awards and Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards.

film is based on the journey of a cat. Which is followed by a pack of dogs and a cat is involved in various adventures. The film tells a deep philosophy about life and death, friendship and existence.

Armand (Norway)

'Armond' is a thriller drama film directed by Norwegian director Hafden Ulman Tondel. This is Ulman's first feature film. The film had its world premiere at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. It also won the Best First Feature Film award. This film was released in Norway on 27 September 2024.

This film is about a dispute between 6-year-old boys. After the conflict, parents and school staff are called for resolution. This film addresses the issues of mental and emotional conflict and social perspective.

From Ground Zero (Palestine)

'From Ground Zero' is an anthology film. There are 22 short films directed by 22 Palestinian directors. These films cover the current situation in the Gaza Strip, the struggles and experiences of the people in the midst of the Israel-Hamas war. Films include documentaries, narratives, animations and experimental films. The

film was shot at various locations in the Gaza Strip towards the end of 2023. It had its world premiere on 5 July 2024 at the 5th Aman International Film Festival. The film was also screened at the 2024 49th Toronto International Film Festival and the 17th Toronto Palestinian Film Festival.

Dahomey (Senegal)

'Dahomey' is a documentary film. Which is directed by Mati Diop. The film is about historical royal artefacts. which were taken from the Kingdom of Dahomey (today's Benin) to France and later France returned the artefacts to Benin. The film recounts the incident and tells about the recovery of the artifacts. Makanji Orsel has written the voices of the idols who are the main characters of the

film. It had its world premiere in the Main Competition category at the Berlin International Film Festival on 18 February 2014, where it won the Golden Bear Award.

How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies (Thailand)

This is a Thai comedy-drama film. The film is directed by Pat Bunnitipat and written by Thodsapon Thiptinnakorn and Pat Bunnitipat. It stars Puthipang Asrtanakul and Usha Simkhum. This film is inspired by the experience of Thodsapon. He wrote the story based on the events he saw while taking care of his grandmother. The production of the film started in 2020. The film was released in Thailand on April 4, 2024. The film grossed $78.3 million worldwide. The film explores family relationships, generations and different cultural perspectives.

Santosh (UK)