With the Academy’s nominations announcement drawing closer by the day, it’s time to lay it all on the line with my final Oscar nomination predictions. And, with BAFTA nominations coming five days after the Academy’s announcement, we’re flying without that typical precursor stat. At least we have their longlists for some reference.
As such, we only have the Critics Choice Awards and Golden Globes to rely on to help predict Best International Feature. With wins at both ceremonies, The Secret Agent has quickly leapt to the front of the pack. Then we have It Was Just an Accident, Sirāt, and No Other Choice, which all landed nominations at both ceremonies. Does that lock them in with the Academy, too?
Sentimental Value somehow blanked with CCA, but the fact it’s the only non-English language film to score a Producers Guild of America nomination should be enough to prove that was just a minor blip. So, that’s our final five, right? Eh, it all feels too easy, especially given all five films are from the same distributor, NEON. And this category tends to surprise with left-field picks few see coming.
If we’re in for a shock, it feels like No Other Choice will be the one to drop out. It hasn’t missed a key nomination all season, so there really is no data for my deduction. It’s just a gut feeling. The smart choice for an alternative would be The Voice of Hind Rajab, but don’t be surprised to see it go to Left-Handed Girl or Kokuhô.
BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE PREDICTIONS:
1. The Secret Agent (Brazil) – BAFTA longlist, CCA, GG
2. Sentimental Value (Norway) – BAFTA longlist, GG
3. It Was Just an Accident (France) – BAFTA longlist, CCA, GG, Gotham
4. Sirāt (Spain) – BAFTA longlist, CCA, GG
5. No Other Choice (South Korea) – BAFTA longlist, CCA, GG, Gotham
Alternate: The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia) – BAFTA longlist, GG