Arab Submissions to the 2017 Academy Awards

posted on: Jan 16, 2017

BY: Nisreen Eadeh/Staff Writer

Nomination voting for the Academy Awards closed on Friday for films being considered in the Best Foreign Language Film category. Each year, dozens of countries enter films for consideration, but only five are chosen as nominations. The critically acclaimed film Theeb, Jordan’s submission for the 2016 Oscars was only the second Arab film to ever be nominated in the category.

This year, the Academy considered submissions from 85 countries and a short list of potential nominees has been made. The short list consists of all European submissions, with the exception of those from Canada, Australia, and Iran.

Although there weren’t any Arab submissions on the Academy’s short list, the films they submitted have gained international attention in media reviews and film festivals. Additionally, the film industry in countries like Yemen and Morocco are on the rise, putting Arab narratives on the indie-film map.

Watch the trailer for each Arab country’s film submission to the 2017 Academy Awards. Spreading awareness of these films may help to diversify the countries seen at future Oscars Ceremonies. Viewing Arab stories and thoughts alternative to those seen on American nightly news are essential to understanding ever-evolving Arab politics and culture.

Algeria – The Well (2015)

Egypt – Clash (2016)

Iraq – El Clásico (2015)

Jordan – 3,000 Nights (2015)

Lebanon – Very Big Shot (2015)

Morocco – A Mile in My Shoes (2016)

Palestine – The Idol (2015)

Saudi Arabia – Barakah Meets Barakah (2016)

Tunisia – As I Open My Eyes (2016)

Yemen – I am Nojoom, Age 10 and Divorced (2014)

Arabic-language film from Israel – Sand Storm (2016)