Homebound Oscars 2026 shortlist: Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa starrer Homebound has officially been placed on the Oscars 2026 shortlist in the Best
International Feature Film category. The Neeraj Ghaywan-directed drama, which serves as India’s official entry, has now crossed a crucial milestone on its journey towards the Academy Awards, even as tougher rounds of voting still lie ahead.
The shortlist for the 98th Academy Awards was announced recently by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, with 15 films advancing in the International Feature Film category. Among them, Homebound, starring Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa, has emerged as one of the global contenders, placing Indian cinema firmly in the international spotlight.
What’s next for Homebound?
Strong competition has been lined up alongside the Indian entry. Titles from across continents have made the cut, including 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.
While the shortlist marks a significant achievement, it represents only the first stage of the Oscars race. The final nominations are yet to be decided through a structured and closely monitored voting process. Academy members from all branches are invited to participate, provided they meet the mandatory viewing requirements for the category.
The nomination voting window has been scheduled to open on January 12, 2026, and will close on January 16, 2026. Votes submitted during this period will be tabulated by an independent accounting firm. Based on these results, only five films will secure official nominations in the Best International Feature Film category.
When will the final nominations be revealed?
The final list of nominees will be unveiled on January 22, 2026, marking a decisive moment for Homebound. Should the film make it through this stage, it will officially enter the final awards race, placing it among the world’s most celebrated cinematic works of the year.
Following the nominations, a final round of voting will be conducted to determine the winners across categories. The 98th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled to be held on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
