Cannes-Premiering Quartet Shortlisted for France’s International Feature Film Oscar Submission

French Box Office Hits and Festival Favorites Make the Cut

A quartet of Cannes-premiering films, including “Emilia Pérez,” “The Count of Monte Cristo,” “Misericordia,” and “All We Imagine As Light,” have been shortlisted for France’s international feature film Oscar submission.

The selection was made by a 11-member committee, comprised of industry professionals and representatives from the French film community, who were appointed by the country’s cultural minister, Rachida Dati.

Former head of Cannes’ Critics’ Week, Charles Tesson, presides over the selectors, which also include producers, sales agents, filmmakers, and actresses.

The committee will reconvene on September 18 to meet with each film’s producers, international sales representatives, and US distributors before announcing its final choice of submission.

Emilia Pérez

Jacques Audiard’s Mexico-set musical “Emilia Pérez” won both the Cannes Jury prize for director Audiard and a shared best actress award for its female cast, comprising Karla Sofía Gascón, Selena Gomez, Zoe Saldana, and Adriana Paz.

The film, produced by Why Not Productions and Page 114, is about a Mexican drug lord who decides to become a woman, leaving his family behind and starting a new life.

The Count of Monte Cristo

“The Count of Monte Cristo,” directed by Alexandre de La Patellière and Matthieu Delaporte, and produced by Chapter 2 and Pathé Films, is based on Alexandre Dumas’ epic adventure novel and has been a box office smash in France, selling over eight million tickets since its June 28 debut.

The film follows the story of Edmond Dantès, a young sailor who is falsely accused of treason and imprisoned, only to escape and exact revenge on those who wronged him.

Misericordia

Alain Guiraudie’s “Misericordia” is a genre-bending rural melodrama, crime thriller, and dark comedy that follows a man who returns to his native town for a funeral, but a mysterious disappearance, a threatening neighbor, and a priest with strange intentions add an unexpected twist to his stay.

All We Imagine As Light

Payal Kapadia’s “All We Imagine As Light” is an India-set co-production that won the grand prix at the Cannes Competition and follows two nurses with troubled relationships in Mumbai who head off on a road trip to a beach town.

The film has played at Telluride and Toronto and will screen at the BFI London Film Festival and New York Film Festival.

Conclusion

The shortlist for France’s international feature film Oscar submission is a testament to the country’s thriving film industry and its ability to produce high-quality, critically acclaimed films.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the shortlist for France’s international feature film Oscar submission?
A: The shortlist includes “Emilia Pérez,” “The Count of Monte Cristo,” “Misericordia,” and “All We Imagine As Light.”

Q: Who selected the shortlist?
A: A 11-member committee, comprising industry professionals and representatives from the French film community, was appointed by the country’s cultural minister, Rachida Dati.

Q: When will the final submission be announced?
A: The committee will reconvene on September 18 to meet with each film’s producers, international sales representatives, and US distributors before announcing its final choice of submission.

Q: How many films will be selected for the final submission?
A: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will unveil its 15-film shortlist for the best international feature film category on December 17, and the five nominees will be announced on January 17, 2025.