‘Homebound’, India’s official Oscar entry for 2026, continues its strong run. It has made the Top 15 shortlist and now heads into the next round of voting in the Academy Awards International Feature Film category. On 6 January, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences shared the shortlist, keeping the Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa starrer firmly in the race.
Films shortlisted for the Oscar
This year’s shortlist brings together a wide mix of countries, including Japan, Switzerland, Tunisia, Brazil, South Korea, Norway, Argentina, Germany, Palestine, Spain, Iraq, Taiwan, France, Jordan, and India. The other films in the Top 15 are ‘Belen’ (Argentina), ‘The Secret Agent’ (Brazil), ‘It Was Just an Accident’ (France), ‘Sound of Falling’ (Germany), ‘The President’s Cake’ (Iraq), ‘Kokuho’ (Japan), ‘All That’s Left of You’ (Jordan), ‘Sentimental Value’ (Norway), ‘Palestine 36’ (Palestine), ‘No Other Choice’ (South Korea), ‘Sirat’ (Spain), ‘Late Shift’ (Switzerland), ‘Left-Handed Girl’ (Taiwan), and ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ (Tunisia).
India’s official Oscar entry ‘Homebound’ has stepped into the Top 15 shortlist, with the final nominations due on 22 January. The film is already riding strong overseas momentum, thanks to standout screenings at Cannes, Toronto, and Melbourne.
The crew behind
For Indian cinema, a shortlist spot like this is rare, which makes the moment stand out. ‘Homebound’ follows childhood friends Shoaib and Chandan, who grow up sharing a single dream of joining the police force. Over time, that dream begins to shape their decisions, test their patience, and quietly strain their bond. Janhvi Kapoor adds emotional depth to the story, especially in moments where words fall short.‘Homebound’ is directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and backed by producers Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, and Apoorva Mehta, with Marijke deSouza and Melita Toscan Du Plantier coming on as co-producers. Martin Scorsese and Pravin Khairnar are listed as executive producers.
