Oscars 2025 - The Ibero-American Films Submitted

Ibero-American films submitted by various Film Academies for the 2025 Oscars.

Film Academies worldwide have until October 2 to submit their selected films for consideration by the Hollywood Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the upcoming Oscars, which will mark its 97th edition.

The films submitted by Ibero-American film academies are vying for the Best International Feature Film category, which, since 2020, replaced the title "Best Foreign Language Film."

For this 97th edition, changes to the rules for this category were announced in April. One of these changes is the possibility for submitted films to also be considered in the animation category. The submitted films must have been released between November 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024.

Here are the films representing Ibero-American cinema at the 2025 Oscars:

Argentina: "El Jockey" by Luis Ortega Luis Ortega's new film, a mix of thriller, drama, and comedy, premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where it received two alternative awards: the Edipo Re Award and a special mention from CinemaSarà. The film follows jockeys Abril and Remo, whose lives take a dangerous turn after Remo accidentally causes the death of a prized racehorse. The film will be released in Argentina on September 26.

Bolivia: "Mano propia" by Gory Patiño This film, inspired by the chronicle "Tribes of the Inquisition" by journalist Roberto Navia, intertwines three stories centered on a lynching in Bolivia in 2013. The film raises questions about community justice versus formal justice, a debate that emerged following the lynching incident in Bolivia.

Brazil: "I’m Still Here" by Walter Salles Set during Brazil’s military dictatorship in 1971, this film tells the story of a mother forced to reinvent her life after her family is torn apart by arbitrary violence. Walter Salles, known for his Oscar-nominated film "Central Station," returns to feature films with this powerful narrative.

Chile: "The Place of the Other" by Maite Alberdi Maite Alberdi transitions to fiction with this film, after receiving consecutive Oscar nominations for her documentaries. The story is based on the real-life case of writer María Carolina Geel, who killed her lover in a hotel in 1995. The film will debut on Netflix on October 11.

Colombia: "La Suprema" by Felipe Holguín This heartwarming film tells the story of a community fighting against political neglect while trying to gather to watch a boxing match featuring a local hero. "La Suprema" has won audience awards at the Huelva and Cartagena film festivals and is available on streaming platforms.

Costa Rica: "Memories of a Burning Body" by Antonella Sudasassi Furniss This film, which won the audience award at the Berlinale, explores the sexuality of three elderly women who challenge the repressive upbringing they received. It is described by its director as a collective cry for women to speak about their most intimate secrets.

Ecuador: "Beyond the Fog" by Sebastián Cordero This documentary follows the journey of the first Ecuadorian, Iván Vallejo, to summit Mount Everest in 1999. The film reflects on friendship, endurance, and philosophical musings as Vallejo and the director revisit their memories in Nepal.

Spain: "Second Prize" by Isake Lacuesta and Pol Rodríguez The big winner of the Málaga Film Festival, this psychedelic and playful film about love and friendship is set in the late 1990s, where an indie band faces internal struggles. It is currently showing in Spanish theaters.

Mexico: "Sujo" by Astrid Rondero and Fernanda Valadez Set in rural Mexico, "Sujo" tells the story of a boy abandoned by his father after a cartel hitman is killed. As the boy grows up, he faces the near-inevitable fate of following in his father's violent footsteps.

Panama: "Wake Up Mom" by Arianne Benedetti Panama's submission is an action thriller about a mother’s desperate search for her missing daughter in a small town filled with dark secrets. The film is directed, co-produced, and starred by Arianne Benedetti.

Peru: "Yana-Wara" by Óscar and Tito Catacora This black-and-white film tells the story of an 80-year-old man accused of killing his granddaughter, Yana-Wara, in a remote Andean community. The film touches on themes of gender-based violence and supernatural visions, blending folklore with reality.

Portugal: "Grand Tour" by Miguel Gomes Set in 1917 British-controlled Burma, this romantic, ambitious film follows the journey of Edward, a British official fleeing his wedding, and Molly, who pursues him across Asia. The film won the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival.

Uruguay: "There’s a Door Over There" by Facundo and Juan Ponce de León This documentary follows the friendship between a Spanish doctor and an Uruguayan man diagnosed with ALS, focusing on themes of euthanasia, companionship, and the end-of-life experience during the pandemic.

Venezuela: "Children of Las Brisas" by Marianela Maldonado This documentary spans a decade, chronicling the journey of three Venezuelan youths aspiring to escape poverty through classical music. The film emphasizes resilience and the power of music as a vehicle for change.

Important Dates for the 2025 Oscars:

Governors Awards: November 17, 2024

Preliminary Voting Begins: December 9, 2024

Shortlist Announcement: December 17, 2024

Nominee Announcement: January 17, 2025

Awards Ceremony: March 2, 2025

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