---
title: "Syria Submits Documentary Film for Best International Feature Oscar"
url: https://noti.group/syria-submits-documentary-film-for-best-international-feature-oscar/
language: en
publisher: "Noti Group"
section: "Entertainment"
published: 2026-10-05T13:00:00.000Z
updated: 2026-10-05T16:40:24.755Z
id: 7a334e0e-2068-4a24-8751-f8ede49c7e2d
source: "The Hollywood Reporter https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/oscars-syria-picks-the-other-side-of-the-sun-icarus-us-deal-1236721931/"
attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/syria-submits-documentary-film-for-best-international-feature-oscar/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story."
---

# Syria Submits Documentary Film for Best International Feature Oscar

The Other Side of the Sun, directed by Tawfik Sabouni, has been selected as Syria's official entry for Best International Feature Film at the Oscars.

Syria has chosen a documentary film about its prison system as its entry for the best international feature film Oscar at the upcoming Academy Awards.

The Other Side of the Sun, directed by Tawfik Sabouni, explores the experience of imprisonment in Saydnaya Prison, one of Syria's most notorious detention sites. The film delves into the country's recent history and collective memory during the decades-long rule of the Assad regime.

This marks Syria's first international Oscar submission since the fall of the regime in December 2024. The selection was made by a newly formed committee accredited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).

Andana Films, which is handling worldwide sales to the film, has also announced that Icarus Films has acquired U.S. rights to The Other Side of the Sun.

The film's focus on a sensitive and traumatic aspect of Syria's past underscores a new chapter in the country's participation in international awards.

The Other Side of the Sun, directed by Sabouni, has been selected as Syria's official entry for Best International Feature Film at the Oscars.

To create this powerful film, Sabouni returned to Saydnaya Prison with four fellow survivors to retrace their experiences and places that shaped their years in captivity. The documentary-style film blends testimony with reenactment, allowing audiences to grasp the lasting impact of imprisonment through a unique visual representation.

The selection of The Other Side of the Sun is significant as it highlights cinema's increasing role in documenting lived experiences and preserving collective memory. By sharing these stories, the film ensures that narratives previously kept from public view can finally be heard.

Sabouni expressed his gratitude for this recognition, stating that it marks the culmination of years of hard work and perseverance despite numerous challenges. He acknowledged the immense personal and collective victory this achievement represents.

The true impact of this selection lies in giving a voice to those whose stories have been silenced by the Assad regime's prisons. The film's focus on these individuals' experiences ensures their memory, suffering, and dignity will be remembered and shared with the world.

Syria has made its first attempt to submit a film for international Oscar consideration by choosing "The Other Side of the Sun" as its Best International Feature entry.

The Academy's shortlist of 15 films in this category will be unveiled on December 15, with the final nominees announced on January 21, 2027. The ceremony for the 99th Academy Awards is scheduled to take place on March 14, 2027, marking a milestone for Syria in its Oscar aspirations.

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Source: [The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/oscars-syria-picks-the-other-side-of-the-sun-icarus-us-deal-1236721931/)  
Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/syria-submits-documentary-film-for-best-international-feature-oscar/