In the 2026 Oscar race, the international film category is primarily a contest between the Brazilian film “O Agente Secreto” and the Norwegian “Valor Sentimental.” These two films stand out as the only ones in their category to also receive nominations for Best Picture, placing them among the top ten films of the year according to the Academy’s over 10,000 voting members.
While other films like the Franco-Iranian “It Was Just an Accident,” the Tunisian “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” and the Spanish “Sirât” are still officially in the running, only “O Agente Secreto” and “Valor Sentimental” have secured spots in the Best Picture category. This distinction elevates them above their peers, particularly “It Was Just an Accident,” which was previously considered a strong contender.
“Valor Sentimental” boasts nine nominations, tying with “Frankenstein” and “Marty Supreme,” and includes nods for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay, along with four acting nominations. In contrast, “O Agente Secreto” has four nominations, similar to films like “Bugonia” and “F1.” Although “O Agente Secreto” won the equivalent category at the 2026 Golden Globes, this victory may not significantly impact the Oscars, as the two voting bodies do not overlap.
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 Academy rule requires voters to confirm they have watched all nominated films in a category, potentially benefiting “O Agente Secreto” by ensuring more voters have seen it.
In 2025, a similar situation unfolded with the Brazilian film “Still Here,” which had three nominations. Its main competitor, “Emilia Pérez,” led with 13 nominations but faced a backlash due to controversial tweets by actress Karla Sofía Gascón, ultimately losing the international category to the Brazilian entry.
