In the 2026 Oscars, the international film category is primarily a contest between the Brazilian film “The Secret Agent” and the Norwegian “Sentimental Value.” These two films are the only ones in this category also nominated for Best Picture, highlighting their prominence among the year’s top ten films as recognized by the over 10,000 voting members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
“Sentimental Value” stands out with nine nominations, including significant categories such as Best Director for Joachim Trier and Best Original Screenplay, alongside four acting nominations. Meanwhile, “The Secret Agent” is among films with four nominations, sharing this position with “Bugonia,” “F1,” and “Train Dreams.” Despite fewer nominations, “The Secret Agent” gained visibility after winning the equivalent category at the 2026 Golden Globes, although the Globes’ voting body differs from the Academy’s.
The final voting for Oscar winners begins on January 26 and concludes on March 5, with the ceremony scheduled for March 15 in Los Angeles, hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien. Both films are distributed in the U.S. by Neon, suggesting equal promotional efforts. A new rule requiring Academy members to watch all nominated films in a category before voting could benefit “The Secret Agent,” as it may ensure broader viewing among international category voters.
In 2025, a similar situation unfolded for Brazil’s entry “Still Here,” which had three nominations but faced stiff competition from the French film “Emilia Pérez,” which led the nominations with 13. However, the French film’s campaign was derailed by controversies involving its lead actress, resulting in “Still Here” winning the international category.
