Mumbai: The Film Federation of India (FFI) on Tuesday announced that submissions for India’s official entry to the 98th Academy Awards will open on August 15 and close on September 10. Eligible films must have completed a minimum one-week theatrical run and embody the theme of ‘Indianness’.
“This year is special for us as FFI completes 75 years. We’ve been selecting India’s Oscar entry since 1957, when Mother India became our first submission. The last film we sent was Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies in 2024,” FFI president Firdausul Hasan told reporters.
Hasan said the final selection will be made after screenings and a voting process, with the chosen film to be announced on September 28.
“The film should represent Indian ethos. We want idea-driven cinema, not just content-driven or star-led projects,” he added.
The jury, appointed by FFI, will comprise 25 members from diverse creative fields such as acting, directing, production, music, costume design, and sound.
All members will be nationally recognised professionals, in line with Oscar Academy protocol.
As per the guidelines, submissions must be: Indian-origin films, with at least 90% of the shoot in India, 60% of dialogues in Indian languages and backed by proof of a one-week theatrical release in India.
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Producers need to pay a submission fee of Rs. 1,25,000 plus GST.
Films that are unreleased by September 10 can still apply if they submit an undertaking confirming a seven-day theatrical release before September 30, FFI said in a statement.
Hasan also urged government support for Oscar campaigns, citing recent discussions with NFDC to assist films in the global race.
The 98th Academy Awards will be held on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
