Syria Submits First Oscar Entry Since Assad's Fall

Syria has selected Tawfik Sabouni's documentary "The Other Side of the Sun" as its entry for the best international feature film category at the 2027 Academy Awards. The film world premiered in the Panorama section of this year's Berlin International Film Festival.

This submission marks the country's first Oscar candidate since the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad's regime. The selection signals a potential new chapter for Syrian cinema on the global stage.

Sabouni's work now advances to the preliminary voting round, where Academy members will determine the shortlist of 15 films announced in December. The final five nominees will be revealed in January 2027.

This brief draws on reporting from Variety.