Italy Oscars 2027 shortlist season has officially begun, and the country’s latest lineup offers a strong snapshot of the films shaping its awards conversation. With 21 titles now in contention for Italy’s Best International Feature Film submission at the 99th Academy Awards, the race is already drawing attention from cinephiles, industry watchers, and global awards trackers alike.
The newly announced selection includes festival favorites, established auteurs, breakout directors, and a mix of dramas, prestige projects, and art-house contenders. A committee overseen by Anica, the Italian film industry body, is set to choose the final submission on September 23, selecting from movies that were theatrically released in Italy between October 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026.
Italy Oscars 2027 Shortlist: Why This Lineup Matters
The Italy Oscars 2027 shortlist is significant not only because of the country’s rich Academy Awards history, but also because Italy remains one of the most closely watched nations in the international feature race. The country last won the Oscar in this category in 2014 with The Great Beauty, and every shortlist announcement raises the same question: which film has the best chance to resonate with Academy voters?
This year’s roster suggests a broad and competitive field. The selection balances acclaimed filmmakers with fresher voices, while also reflecting films that have already gained momentum on the festival circuit. That combination often matters when countries weigh both artistic prestige and international campaign potential.
Festival Buzz and High-Profile Contenders
Among the most notable entries are three films that competed for the Golden Lion at Venice 2026:
- It Will Happen Tonight by Nanni Moretti
- Return to Buenos Aires by Marco Bechis
- The Spiral by Paolo Strippoli
These titles immediately stand out because Venice exposure can be a major launching pad in the Oscar race. Moretti, in particular, brings name recognition and a history of international acclaim, which could make It Will Happen Tonight one of the most closely watched contenders on the list.
Also drawing attention is The House of the Monkey, directed by Tommaso Landucci. The film earned honors in Venice’s Orizzonti section, including a best actor prize for Riccardo Scamarcio and a screenplay win for co-writer Damiano Femfert. That kind of festival validation could boost its profile as the selection committee weighs critical momentum.
Another intriguing inclusion is Three Goodbyes, an Italian-language relationship drama from Spanish filmmaker Isabel Coixet. Cross-cultural productions with strong emotional storytelling can sometimes travel well internationally, making it a title worth watching. Likewise, Primavera, the first feature from acclaimed opera director Damiano Michieletto, enters the race with a notable world premiere pedigree after screening as a Special Presentation at TIFF.
The Full Italy Oscars 2027 Shortlist
Here are the 21 films under consideration for Italy’s Oscar submission:
- Anna — Monica Guerritore
- Controcorrente a Rebours — Angelo Antonucci
- Finale: Allegro — Emanuela Piovano
- Sweetheart (Gioia Mia) — Margherita Spampinato
- The Eyes of Others (Gli occhi degli altri) — Andrea De Sica
- The House of the Monkey — Tommaso Landucci
- Judas’ Gospel (Il Vangelo di Giuda) — Giulio Base
- Hitler’s Big Fear: The Trial Against Degenerate Art — Simone Risi
- La Salita — Massimiliano Gallo
- Life Goes This Way (La vita va così) — Riccardo Milani
- Mosquitoes — Valentina Bertani and Nicole Bertani
- The Things Left Unspoken (Le cose non dette) — Gabriele Muccino
- The Spiral (L’estranea) — Paolo Strippoli
- Orfeo — Virgilio Villoresi
- Per Te — Alessandro Aronadio
- Primavera — Damiano Michieletto
- Quasi Grazia — Peter Marcias
- Return to Buenos Aires — Marco Bechis
- Serpenti — Roberto De Paolis
- It Will Happen Tonight — Nanni Moretti
- Three Goodbyes (Tre Ciotole) — Isabel Coixet
What the Selection Committee May Be Looking For
Choosing a national submission is never just about naming the “best” film. In the Italy Oscars 2027 shortlist process, the committee will likely weigh several factors:
- Critical acclaim — festival awards, reviews, and industry support
- International appeal — whether the story can connect beyond domestic audiences
- Campaign viability — how well the film can sustain a global awards push
- Artistic distinction — a unique voice or cinematic identity that stands out in a crowded field
Historically, countries often face a strategic choice between selecting a celebrated auteur-driven film and backing a title with broader emotional accessibility. Italy’s final decision could come down to that exact balance.
Possible Front-Runners
While the committee has not indicated any favorites, several films appear to have early momentum:
- It Will Happen Tonight for Moretti’s stature and Venice visibility
- The House of the Monkey for its awards success in Orizzonti
- The Spiral for its festival platform and genre intrigue
- Three Goodbyes for its internationally recognizable director and emotional premise
- Primavera for its prestige launch and crossover artistic appeal
That said, Oscar submissions can still surprise, especially when committees favor a film they believe best represents the national cinema landscape of the year.
Italy’s Oscar Legacy and What Comes Next
Italy has long been one of the most influential countries in the history of the Academy Awards’ international film category. From neorealist classics to contemporary festival standouts, Italian cinema has consistently carried global cultural weight. That legacy adds extra attention to every new shortlist and final submission.
Once the committee makes its choice on September 23, the selected title will move into the broader international Oscar race, where it must compete against submissions from countries around the world for a place on the Academy’s eventual shortlist and, potentially, the final nominations.
For now, the Italy Oscars 2027 shortlist offers a compelling look at the breadth of contemporary Italian filmmaking. Whether the final pick is a Venice contender, an award-winning breakout, or a quieter prestige title, the decision will shape Italy’s awards season narrative in a major way.
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In the weeks ahead, awards watchers will be closely tracking which title emerges from the Italy Oscars 2027 shortlist. With festival prestige, veteran directors, and ambitious new work all represented, Italy has no shortage of strong options — only the difficult task of choosing the one film best positioned to carry its Oscar hopes.
