The race for the Oscar for international feature film is officially entering its crunch phase. With the Oct. 1 submission deadline in the rearview, the world is waiting to see which films will make the Academy's shortlist on Dec. 15. The final nominations drop on Jan. 21, and the competition is looking absolutely stacked. A fresh Academy rule this year even allows films that sweep top prizes at major fests like Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Sundance, Busan, or Toronto to enter the race without needing a national committee's stamp of approval. ## The global lineup Pakistan is making history this year by submitting its first-ever documentary, Mohammed Ali Naqvi’s “Hanging by a Wire.” It’s a nail-biting thriller about the 2023 cable car rescue in Battagram that had the whole world watching. If you’re looking for a watch that’s already been festival-tested, it hit Sundance and Tribeca and is heading to Paramount+. Meanwhile, Kenya is putting its support behind Vincho Nchogu’s “One Woman, One Bra,” a story about a woman navigating land ownership and her own identity. South Africa went with the drama “Variations on a Theme,” focusing on an elderly goat herder facing a scam, while Sri Lanka is throwing its hat in the ring with the political thriller “Riverstone.” Malaysia chose the co-production “The Fox King,” and Cuba is bringing the drama with “Malecón,” which follows a man fresh out of prison trying to navigate Havana’s underworld. Denmark is also in the mix with the Venice Golden Lion winner “Woman Unknown.” ## Why it matters These submissions represent the best of global storytelling, highlighting everything from gripping survival stories to complex human dramas. By giving these films a platform at the Oscars, the Academy is keeping the cinematic plot thickening for audiences who want stories that hit different and transcend borders.