The Academy's final nominations for the Best International Feature Film category are scheduled to be revealed on January 22, 2026.
India’s Homebound Makes Oscar Top 15, Eyes Global Recognition Jan 22
India’s official Oscar entry, Homebound, has taken a significant step forward in the 98th Academy Awards race by making it into the top 15 voting round for the International Feature Film category. Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and starring Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa, has now moved past the initial eligibility stage and been named on the shortlist that heads into the next round of voting by members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
On January 6, 2026, the Academy made this announcement. This means the film is one of fifteen international films now in contention for official nomination.
The shortlist brings together entries from around the world, with films from countries including Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Palestine, South Korea, Japan, Spain, Iraq, Norway, Switzerland, Jordan, and Taiwan among those listed alongside India’s Homebound.
The Academy’s final nominations for the Best International Feature Film category are scheduled to be revealed on January 22, 2026, at which point only five from the current fifteen will become official Oscar nominees.
The progress of Homebound at this stage underscores its global resonance and marks an important moment for Indian cinema on the international awards circuit, as it continues to build momentum ahead of the final nomination announcement. Making it to the Top 15 shortlist moves Homebound a step closer to the Oscars, with final nominations on January 22.
Source: Times of India
