SAEDNEWS: Polish Cinema Selects “Frantz” as Official Entry for Best International Feature at the 2026 Oscars
The Polish Oscar selection committee has officially chosen the biographical film “Franz”, directed by Agnieszka Holland, as the country’s contender for the Best International Feature at the 98th Academy Awards.
Holland, renowned for her Oscar-nominated films such as Angry Harvest, Europa Europa, and In Darkness, brings her signature storytelling style to this latest project.
“Franz” explores the life of Franz Kafka, a young man trapped in the nightmarish bureaucracy of daily life, whose struggles resonate eerily with the modern world. The film delves into Kafka’s relationship with a strict father and his fragile encounters with women, painting an intimate portrait of the iconic writer.
The screenplay is written by Mark Epstein, and production was handled by Holland alongside Sharka Simbalova through the Czech company Marlene Film Production.
The film premiered in the Special Presentations section at the Toronto International Film Festival, marking its first major public screening.
Kafka left behind a treasure trove of works, including:
Description of a Struggle (1904)
Wedding Preparations in the Country (1907)
Meditation (1912)
In the Penal Colony (1914)
The Warden of the Tomb (1917)
The Great Wall of China (1917)
A Message from the Emperor (1919)
The Trial (1925)
The Castle (1926)
America (1927)
Countries have until October 1, 2025, to submit their entries for the Best International Feature category. So far, nearly 50 countries—including Canada, Belgium, Germany, Norway, Palestine, Sweden, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Taiwan, Ukraine, and Turkey—have submitted their selections.
The Academy will announce the shortlist of 15 films on December 16 (25 Azar), with the final nominees revealed on January 22 (3 Bahman). The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will take place on March 15, 2026 (25 Esfand) in Los Angeles.
