“Red Rain” is eligible to compete for Best International Film at the 2026 Oscars

The Department of Cinema, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (VHTTDL) said that in the list of films in the categories of Documentary, Animation and International Feature Films that fully meet the criteria to participate in the voting round for the best film at the 98th Academy Awards, just announced by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), there is the film "Red Rain".

Previously, based on the results of the Vietnam Representative Film Selection Council, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued Decision No. 3479/QD-BVHTTDL, selecting the feature film "Red Rain", produced by the People's Army Cinema in 2025, to compete in the international feature film category of the 98th Academy Awards.

Vietnam's Oscar application process is carried out seriously, completely and accurately, meeting many AMPAS regulations to be accepted into the official list. Vietnam's film submissions are prepared according to a strict process. The Vietnam Film Selection Council first reviews films that are eligible for domestic release, evaluates their artistic, cultural values ​​and ability to represent the country.

Scene from the movie "Red Rain".

The selection process is transparent, based on criteria compatible with the Academy's evaluation system. In parallel, the process of completing all documents required by AMPAS includes: Official registration, legal documents related to film ownership, translation of dialogue - English subtitles, introduction profile, film photos and full information. Each type of document is carefully checked to ensure correct format and international standards, especially requirements for artwork content, posters and communication materials.

The official film version of “Red Rain” is exported according to AMPAS technical standards and uploaded to the Academy Screening Room system for viewing, judging and voting by Academy members. Throughout this process, the Film Department must regularly communicate with AMPAS international department to confirm the status of the application, adjust technical details when necessary and ensure the work meets all eligibility requirements.

As a result, the Vietnamese feature film “Red Rain” is on the list of 86 feature films eligible to compete for the Best International Feature Film award at the 2026 Oscars.

The Southeast Asian region has a very clear presence with four works from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore, including: “Sore: A Wife from the Future” (Indonesia); “Pavane for an Infant” (Malaysia); “Magellan” (Philippines); “Stranger Eyes” (Singapore). Meanwhile, the representative of Thailand was not selected this year.

The fact that Vietnam’s “Red Rain” is included in the list of 86 international feature films not only shows the increasingly clear stature of Vietnamese cinema, but also continues to affirm the position of Southeast Asia in the Oscar arena. Entering the fierce competition round, the film “Red Rain” will continue its journey in the voting round to select the Top 15 best films (shortlist) – an important screening round that reflects the direct assessment of Academy members.

Accordingly, the Preliminary Voting Round will be from December 8 to 12, 2025; the Shortlist will be announced on December 16, 2025; and the Official Nominations will be announced on January 22, 2026. The 98th Academy Awards will take place on March 15, 2026 at the Dolby Theatre, broadcast live on ABC.

According to the Department of Cinema, the presence of “Red Rain” in the list of 86 international feature films this year is the result of Vietnam’s professional, methodical and serious preparation when participating in the largest film playground on the planet. This is not only a good sign for the film, but also shows the maturity of Vietnamese cinema in the process of integration, promoting the image and artistic voice of the country in the international arena.

Source: https://cand.com.vn/van-hoa/mua-do-du-dieu-kien-tranh-giai-phim-quoc-te-hay-nhat-tai-oscar-2026-i788907/