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- Why Minotaur emerged as France’s Oscar pick
- Who else vied for France’s submission
- How the selection was decided: hearings and industry input
- Production roots and distribution partners
- France’s evolving role in global film financing
- Official backing and campaign ambitions
- Selection committee members and leadership
- Historical context: France and the International Feature Oscar
- New Academy rules affecting the 2027 race
- Key dates on the Oscar calendar
France has chosen Andrey Zvyagintsev’s Cannes Grand Prize winner, Minotaur, as its official entry for the Best International Feature Film race at the Oscars. The decision follows hearings with producers, international sales agents and U.S. distributors and signals Paris’s continued influence on global co-productions.
Why Minotaur emerged as France’s Oscar pick
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Minotaur, directed by the exiled Russian filmmaker Andrey Zvyagintsev, stood out to the national selection panel. The film’s Cannes accolade and its political resonance helped it rise above a diverse shortlist.
- Artistic recognition: Winner of the Cannes Grand Prize.
- Topical weight: A stark portrait of corruption in modern Russia.
- International potential: Backing from established distributors bolstered its campaign.
Who else vied for France’s submission
The field was eclectic, opening the choice to historical epics, animation and intimate dramas.
- Antonin Baudry — the two-part historical epic De Gaulle.
- Arthur Harari — the thriller The Unknown.
- Marine Atlan — the art-house title La Gradiva.
- Louis Clichy — the animated feature Iron Boy.
How the selection was decided: hearings and industry input
The French committee held auditions with the creative teams and the film’s international partners.
Representatives included producers, sales agents and U.S. distributors. Names like Mubi, Neon and Sony Pictures Classics took part in the process.
Production roots and distribution partners
Although filmed in Russian, Minotaur was produced with major French involvement. Charles Gillibert’s CG Cinéma and MK Productions backed the project.
MK2 Films manages international sales, while Mubi secured North American rights and several other territories.
France’s evolving role in global film financing
The pick highlights a trend. France increasingly finances and co-produces films by non-French directors.
Last year’s submission was Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just an Accident. That film won Cannes and later earned an Oscar nomination.
The Panahi choice sparked debate inside France. Critics asked whether a country’s submission should be restricted to native-language filmmakers.
Official backing and campaign ambitions
Gaetan Bruel, president of the CNC, framed the selection as part of a deliberate strategy to win.
The CNC and Unifrance pledged active support for the nominee and for any French titles that secure Oscar nominations.
Selection committee members and leadership
The committee was chaired by Charles Tesson. Members came from a range of industry roles.
- Coralie Fargeat
- Emilie Lesclaux
- Sophie Mas
- Grégory Chambet
- Nadim Cheikhrouha
- Thierry de Clermont-Tonnerre
- Ron Dyens
- Nicolas Eschbach
- Adeline Monzier
- Sylvie Pialat
Historical context: France and the International Feature Oscar
France remains a prolific contender in the category, but it has not won since 1993. Régis Wargnier’s Indochine is the last French title to claim the trophy.
New Academy rules affecting the 2027 race
The 2027 contest is the first year under revised Academy rules. Non-English films that win certain major festivals can enter the international feature race without being their country’s official submission.
The designated festivals are Berlin, Busan, Cannes, Sundance, Toronto and Venice.
Key dates on the Oscar calendar
- International Feature shortlist: Dec. 15.
- Nominations announced: Jan. 21.
- 99th Academy Awards ceremony: March 14, 2027.
