Oscars 2024: Two Spanish Language Films Included in Best International Feature Film Short List

The Oscars announced on Thursday the eagerly-awaited shortlist of the 15 films that will compete for a nomination in the Best International Feature Film category in the 2024 edition. Out of the submissions, which came from a record 88 countries, the selection highlights rich diversity and artistic storytelling from around the globe.

However, the Spanish-language world, with it's rich film community, was again mostly snubbed. Only two movies, one from Spain and another from México were included.

The first one is "La sociedad de la nieve" (Society of Snow). The movie, directed by J.A. Bayona for Netflix, tells in a very impactful way the story of the Uruguayan rugby team whose plane crashed in the Andes, with its survivors managing to stay alive for 72 days.

La sociedad de la nieve was the only Spanish language film nominated for the Golden Globes.

México's acclaimed "Totem" also made the cut. The movie, directed and written by Lila Avilés, revolves around a special day at 7-year-old Sol's grandfather's house, where a surprise celebration is being prepared for her father, Tonatiuh. Throughout the day, as evening approaches, Sol begins to perceive the imminent shifts in her life, signaling profound changes that will shape her understanding of the world.

The biggest snub was the exclusion of "Los Colonos". The film set in Patagonia between 1901 and 1908 and filmed in Argentina's Tierra del Fuego province, offers a stark portrayal of the conquest narratives of the Patagonian region and the Selk'nam Genocide, delving into the complex and often brutal history of the area.

Oscar's short-list

The Academy also announced the short list for the categories of International Feature Film, Documentary, Sound, Original Score, Original Song, Makeup and Hairstyling, Visual Effects, Live-Action Short Film, Documentary Short Subject, and Animated Short Film.

As expected, "Barbie", "Oppenheimer," "Maestro," "Poor Things," and "Killers of the Flower Moon" were included in most categories.

Here are all the movies competing to be nominated in the Best International Feature Film category at the 2024 Oscars.

Armenia, "Amerikatsi"
Bhutan, "The Monk and the Gun"
Denmark, "The Promised Land"
Finland, "Fallen Leaves"
France, "The Taste of Things"
Germany, "The Teachers' Lounge"
Iceland, "Godland"
Italy, "Io Capitano"
Japan, "Perfect Days"
Mexico, "Totem"
Morocco, "The Mother of All Lies"
Spain, "Society of the Snow"
Tunisia, "Four Daughters"
Ukraine, "20 Days in Mariupol"
United Kingdom, "The Zone of Interest"

The nominations will be announced almost a month from now, on January 23rd. The 96th Oscars award ceremony will take place in Los Angeles on March 10th. The event will be held at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be televised live on ABC.