Homebound In Oscars 2026 Shortlist: What's Next For India's Official Selection? Nomination Process - EXPLAINED

Homebound, India’s official selection for the Oscars 2026, has made the cut! In the recently unveiled shortlists for the 98th Academy Awards, the Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa film featured in the Best International Feature Film category. With this, it has moved closer to the Oscars. However, only the final nominations will determine if the film will enter the race.Homebound In Oscars 2026 ShortlistThe Best International Feature Film shortlist for the 98th Academy Awards features 15 films from around the world, including India’s Homebound. The Neeraj Ghaywan directorial is competing with Argentina’s Belén, Brazil’s The Secret Agent, France’s It Was Just an Accident, Germany’s Sound of Falling, Iraq’s The President’s Cake, Japan’s Kokuho,

Jordan’s All That’s Left of You, Norway’s Sentimental Value, Palestine’s Palestine 36, South Korea’s No Other Choice, Spain’s Sirât, Switzerland’s Late Shift, Taiwan’s Left-Handed Girl, and Tunisia’s The Voice of Hind Rajab.ALSO READ: Oscars 2026 Shortlists: Frankenstein, Wicked For Good Make It In Multiple Categories, Check COMPLETE List Oscars Nomination ProcessBut this is just the beginning of the long journey leading to the Oscars. For those unaware, the nomination process starts with voting by members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, who submit their choices across various categories. The votes are then counted by an independent accounting firm to determine the official nominees.Shortlists in certain categories are released beforehand to guide the final nominations. The nomination voting will begin on January 12, 2026, and close on January 16, 2026. The official nominees for the 98th Academy Awards will be announced on January 22, 2026.In the final round, members will vote again to select the winners from the official nominees. The 98th Academy Awards will take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre.