“Sirat”, by Oliver Laxe, “in Trance” Towards the Oscars

It appears as a frontrunner in the predictions to be chosen among the five selected in the Best International Feature Film category.

By Jorge Alonso Curiel

HoyLunes – Last Wednesday, September 17, at the headquarters of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, director Pablo Berger revealed the title of the film selected to represent Spain in the race for the Oscars, and it was none other than the clear favorite, “Sirat. Trance in the Desert“, the third feature film by the Spanish director, screenwriter, and actor born in France, Oliver Laxe (1982), surpassing the other two preselected titles announced on September 3: “Sorda”, the debut film by Eva Libertad, and “Romería”, by Carla Simón.

A Spanish-French co-production (with the participation of El Deseo), Jury Prize winner in the Official Section at the latest Cannes Film Festival, the film narrates the journey of a father and his young son across Morocco in search of his daughter Mar at raves (endless electronic music parties). It has become one of the major productions of the year, with clear chances of making it into the five nominees competing, at the 98th Academy Awards, in the Best International Feature Film category, which will be held on March 15, 2026, in Los Angeles.

This is what all the predictions suggest, and also its distributor NEON, which will release it in November in the United States. NEON is renowned for its expertise in launching and campaigning for films in Hollywood (a prime example being “Parasite”), and has stated that it clearly sees the film’s chances of passing the first cut, known as the Shortlist, to be announced on December 15, with 15 films; and then making it to the final five, on January 22, 2026.

“Sirat“, starring Sergi Sánchez, Bruno Núñez, Jade Oukid, and Stefania Gadda, continues to leave its director astonished by all that is happening to the film. That very morning, shortly after the Academy informed him of the news, and via video call, he expressed hope that “Sirat” would be well received by American audiences because “they enjoy this kind of intense cinema,” of “powerful emotions.” The film premiered in Spanish theaters on June 6, is performing very well in France, and will soon open in other countries such as Japan, England, and Mexico.

It will compete against other standout productions of the year, such as the German “Sound of Falling” by Mascha Schilinski, with which it shared the Jury Prize in Cannes; “Franz”, by Polish filmmaker Agnieszka Holland; “Calle Málaga”, a Moroccan production starring Carmen Maura; “The Voice of Hind”, representing Tunisia, by filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania; and the Norwegian “Sentimental Valve”, by Joachim Trier.

If the predictions prove correct, Spain would once again secure a nomination in this category two years after J. A. Bayona achieved it with “Society of the Snow”.