12 films supported by the Red Sea Film Foundation are in the Oscar race

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The Red Sea Film Foundation recorded a record attendance in the race for the Academy Award for Best International Film in its 99th session, with 12 films supported by it reaching the competition, representing 12 countries from Saudi Arabia and the Arab world to Africa and Asia.

11 of these films were chosen to officially represent their countries in the race, namely: “A Matter of Life and Death,” “Ruqaya,” “Sesame Starry Night,” “Tales,” “Goria,” “Four Seasons in Java,” “Drowned,” “Earthberries,” “Penimana,” “We Are All Strangers,” and “The Other Side of the Sun.”

The film “Ang” joins it, after winning the “Platform” Award at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival, which qualified it to advance directly to the competition according to the new rules approved by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the 99th session, which allows films that win specific awards in selected international festivals to qualify for the Best International Film category.

The CEO of the Red Sea Film Foundation, Faisal Baltoor, said that the arrival of 12 films supported by the Foundation in the Oscar race represents a source of pride, noting that the selection of 11 of them to officially represent their countries reflects an appreciation for their makers and the cinematic talents and stories coming from Saudi Arabia, the Arab world, Africa and Asia.

He added that this attendance reflects the impact of the Foundation’s support for filmmakers and their creative visions, starting from the early development stages and reaching international platforms.

This attendance comes after a record participation of films supported by the Foundation at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival, with eight films, and Ang winning the Platform Award. "Benimana", Rwanda's official representative in the Oscar race, also won the Camera d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year.

The short list for the Best International Film category is scheduled to be announced on December 15, 2026, while the final nominations will be announced on January 21, 2027, with the 99th Academy Awards ceremony being held in Los Angeles on March 14, 2027.