Familia was not included in the list of 15 titles nominated for the 2026 Oscars for the Best International Film category. The dramatic work directed by Francesco Costabile (A female), taken from the autobiography It won’t always be like this by Luigi Celeste, is inspired by a story true, that of achildhood lived by the writer in a rather difficult family groupwhich will end in tragedy. Barbara Ronchi stars (Elisa) Francesco Gheghi (Bare Hands), Francesco Di Leva (Nostalgia) And Tecla Insolia (The art of joy). All applications will be announced on January 22, 2026 Oscar night 2026 will take place on March 16th.
Nothing to do for “Familia”: the Italian film is out of the 2026 Oscar shortlist
Presented in the Horizons section at the Venice International Film Festival 2025And a story of domestic violence of dramatic relevance. The protagonist of the film is Gigi Celeste (Francesco Gheghi), who lives in Romein the early 2000s, itogether with his mother Licia (Barbara Ronchi) and his brother Alessandro (Marco Cicalese). After 10 years of absence their father returns to their lives Franco (Francesco Di Leva), a dangerous and abusive man who sowed terror in their childhood.
The family balance is broken and everyone will have to deal with a painful past, forcing Gigi to make a choice to save everyone but which will change his existence forever. Although the film divided audiences and critics upon its release, the cast of actors instead convinced everyone. Francesco Di Leva won both the Nastro D’Argento 2025 and the David di Donatello 2025 in the same category, that of Best Leading Actor. Barbara Ronchi triumphed at the David as Best Leading Actress.
Oscar 2026: the foreign films nominated and the Italian Matteo Burani in the Best Short Film list
In the list of 15 titles for the Best International Film category There are Belén (Argentina), The Secret Agent (Brazil)present at the Venice Film Festival 2025, A simple accident of Iranian Jaraf Panahi (candidate of France). And again: Sound of Falling (Germany), Homebound (India), The President’s Cake (Iraq), All That’s Left of You (Norway), Sentimental Value (Norway).
In the end Palestine 36 (Palestine), No Other choice (South Korea) among the favourites, Sirat (Spain), Late Shift (Switzerland) e The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia). Italy still hopes to experience Oscar night with Matteo Burani. His short film Playing Good, made in Bologna, has been included in the list for Best Short Film.
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