Seven Arab countries have submitted films for the Best International Feature category at the 99th Academy Awards, including an Iraqi entry co-produced with the UAE, Norway and Sweden. October 2, Lebanon put forward "Furies" directed by Rami Kodeih, Algeria submitted "Roqia" by Yanis Koussim, Morocco entered "La Mas Dulce" directed by Laila Marrakchi, Palestine chose "Citizen Osama" by Ahmed Hassouna, Egypt selected "The Stories" directed by Abu Bakr Shawky, and Jordan submitted "Sink" by Zain Duraie.
Iraq's entry, "No Paradise If You Are Killed by a Woman," directed by Halkawt Mustafa, stands out as a Norway-Iraq-UAE-Sweden co-production, making it the clearest UAE link among this year's Arab Oscar hopefuls.
The Academy's submission deadline closed on September 30. Under the official awards calendar, the 15-film international feature shortlist will be announced on December 15, the five final nominees on January 21, 2027, and the ceremony itself will take place on March 14, 2027.
Saudi Arabia and Tunisia had both opened domestic selection processes earlier in the year but did not publicly confirm an entry before the deadline passed, leaving them off this year's list.
With seven countries represented, industry observers say the region is showing one of its strongest Oscar showings in recent years, pointing to growing investment in Arab film production and distribution. The UAE co-production credit on the Iraqi film is also being read locally as a sign of the country's expanding role as a regional filmmaking partner rather than only a filming location.
The shortlisted films will be narrowed down over the coming months before the Academy reveals its final nominees in January.