Los Angeles [US], December 18: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has revealed the shortlisted films eligible for the 2025 Oscars, and Santosh, a Hindi-language international co-production, has secured a spot in the prestigious Best International Feature Film category.
Out of 85 films submitted globally, 15 were selected for the shortlist, including Santosh, which was submitted by the United Kingdom. The film premiered at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in May 2024 and received positive reviews from critics.
Actress Shahana Goswami, a key member of the film’s cast, expressed her excitement on Instagram, celebrating the recognition: “So happy for the team, especially our writer-director Sandhya Suri, for this little glory of recognition for Santosh! How incredible to be shortlisted from amongst 85 films. Thank you to everyone who loved it, supported it, and voted for it.”
Directed by Sandhya Suri, Santosh follows a young Hindu widow, played by Shahana, who inherits her husband’s role as a police constable through a government scheme. As she navigates institutional corruption, she partners with a tough veteran detective (Sunita Rajwar) on a murder case involving a teenage girl from the Dalit community.
The following films are also in the shortlist for Best International Feature Film:
- Armand (Norway)
- Dahomey (Senegal)
- Emilia Perez (France)
- Flow (Latvia)
- From Ground Zero (Palestine)
- The Girl With the Needle (Denmark)
- How to Make Millions before Grandma Dies (Thailand)
- I’m Still Here (Brazil)
- Kneecap (Ireland)
- Santosh (United Kingdom)
- The Seed of the Sacred Fig (Germany)
- Touch (Iceland)
- Universal Language (Canada)
- Waves (Czech Republic)
- Vermiglio (Italy)
The films are eligible for Oscar consideration, but this does not guarantee advancement to the final nominations. Oscar voting to determine nominees will take place from January 8 to January 12, with nominations announced on January 17.