The Arab films hoping to make the cut at the 2027 Oscars

Several Arab films have been submitted for the 2027 Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category ahead of the 30 September deadline.

The selection of Arab films has garnered widespread praise, in what has been seen as a major win for the region and its film industry.

All international feature films submitted must be more than 40 minutes long, be produced outside the US and have more than 50% of their dialogue in a language other than English. Eligible films must also have been released between 1 October 2025 and 30 September 2026.

Here, The New Arab looks at some of the submissions from the Middle East.

1. Morocco: La Mas Dulce

Morocco’s submission is La Mas Dulce, known internationally as Strawberries, which follows two young women who travel to Andalusia to work as strawberry pickers in a bid to improve their living conditions and economic prospects.

The film explores the exploitation and harassment they face, as well as the emotional turmoil of deciding whether to endure the harsh conditions or speak out against them.

 

 

 

 

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2. Palestine: Citizen Osama

Citizen Osama is a documentary filmed in northern Gaza amid Israel’s brutal genocide, which began in October 2023.

It follows the daily life of Osama al-Ashi, an artistic photographer who became a war photographer as a result of the devastating circumstances in the enclave.

In the 69-minute film, he is shown going to great lengths to protect his newborn child and wife from the devastation and heavy Israeli bombardment.

The film delves into his experiences, as well as those of other civilians who have faced loss, starvation and displacement in Gaza.

3. Iraq: No Paradise if You are Killed by a Woman

Iraq’s selected film, by Kurdish-Norwegian filmmaker Halkawt Mustafa, follows a female sniper who suppresses her emotions after years of war.

It follows her discovery that her younger sister, who disappeared during an Islamic State (IS) assault in 2014, may still be alive, and her subsequent journey to find her.

Mustafa said the film was inspired by Kurdish women who fought IS, as well as several meetings he had with female Peshmerga fighters on the front line in 2014.

The 15-film shortlist is set to be announced on 15 December, with the final nominees to be revealed on 21 January.

The 99th Academy Awards will take place in Los Angeles on 14 March 2027.