Oscar season is here, and we’re thrilled to see a slew of NZIFF films make the nominee list! 

Oscars hopefuls include Sentimental Value - up for 9 awards including Best Director (Joachim Trier), Best Actress in a Leading Role (Renate Reinsve), and Best Screenplay, The Secret Agent - in the running for 4 awards, Blue Moon, It Was Just An Accident and Sirāt - each up for 2 awards, and Kokuho and Cutting Through Rocks also on the nominees list.

And keep an eye out for The Voice of Hind Rajab - the first film to be announced for NZIFF 2026, nominated in the Best International Feature Film category. 

We’ll be tuning in to see who gets top honours at the 98th Academy Awards on 16 March.

See below for the full list of films and category nominations:

Sentimental Value
Best Picture
Best Directing (Joachim Trier)
Best Actress in a Leading Role (Renate Reinsve)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Stellan Skarsgård)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Elle Fanning)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas)
Best Writing (Original Screenplay)
Best International Feature Film
Best Film Editing

The Secret Agent
Best Picture
Best Actor in a Leading Role (Wagner Moura)
Best International Feature Film
Best Casting

Blue Moon
Best Actor in a Leading Role (Ethan Hawke)
Best Writing (Original Screenplay)

It Was Just An Accident
Best Writing (Original Screenplay)
Best International Feature Film

Sirāt
Best International Feature Film
Best Sound

Cutting Through Rocks
Best Documentary Feature Film

Kokuho
Best Makeup and Hairstyling

The Voice of Hind Rajab (coming to NZIFF 2026!)
Best International Feature Film