Oscars 2026: The Secret Agent Is Second Brazilian Film Nominated For Best Film; DYK Which Was First?

On March 16, 2026 IST, the winners of the Oscars will be announced. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences released the final list of nominations. Presenters Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman

announced the nominees for the Best Picture category. Bugonia, F1, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, Sinners and Train Dreams have qualified and will be competing for the trophy in March 2026. Out of the list, The Secret Agent from Brazil has caught attention. The country is back into nominations game after being shut out of the International Feature Film category for decades since the late ‘90s.

The Secret Agent is second Brazilian film to be nominated for Best Picture

The Secret Agent is the second Brazilian film to be nominated for the Best Picture category. Directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho, it stars Wagner Moura. In the 97th Oscars, the Brazilian film, I’m Still Here, was the first feature presentation to be nominated. Before being shut for the category, Central Station made it big.

About The Secret Agent

The Secret Agent is set in 1977. A technology expert flees from a mysterious past and returns to his hometown of Recife in search of peace. He soon realises that the city is far from being the refuge he seeks. Besides Best Picture, Wagner Moura has been nominated for Best Actor for the Oscars 2026. He is the third Brazilian ever to be nominated for an acting Oscar, following Torres and her mother, Fernanda Montenegro of Central Station.

About I'm Still Here

I’m Still Here is about Eunice Paiva, who begins a lonely battle to learn the truth behind the disappearance of her husband, former PTB deputy Rubens Paiva, while trying to keep her family together. It was also nominated for the Best International Feature Film category. However, it did not win.

Oscars 2026 ceremony details

The 98th Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2026, live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. ‍It will air on ABC at 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT. Returning as host for the second year in a row is Conan O’Brien, bringing his signature humor to Hollywood’s biggest night. Those in India can watch the ceremony live on March 16 from 4.30 AM.