Palestinian film From Ground Zero shortlisted for 97th Oscars

Palestinian film From Ground Zero is shortlisted for the International Feature Film at the 97th Oscars, the Academy revealed on Tuesday.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced shortlists — the precursor to official nominations due on January 1, 2025 — in 10 categories.

From Ground Zero, an anthology directed by 22 different Palestinian directors, comprising documentaries, animation, fiction, and experimental films, details the lives of people in Gaza following Israel’s amplified aggression since October 7, 2024.

It premiered at the 5th Amman International Film Festival in July and had its North American premiere at the 49th Toronto International Film Festival in September.

“It offers an urgent, intimate glimpse into the human toll of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, far beyond the scope of news bulletins. The victims and subjects of the genocide speak, each frame is an expression of raw emotion, creating a deeply personal narrative of survival, loss, and the fragility of existence under siege,” author Narendra Pachkhédé wrote for Images.

In the running for best Documentary Feature Film is The Bibi Files, an American documentary directed by Alexis Bloom featuring leaked footage from the corruption trials of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Emilia Pérez, starring Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldana received six nominations, including makeup, sound, original score, international feature, and two for original song (‘El Ma’ and ‘Mi Camino’), Variety reported.

The blockbuster musical Wicked, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, landed in four categories: makeup and hairstyling, sound, visual effects, and original score.

Pakistan’s official pick for the International Feature Film category, Usman Riaz’s animated film The Glassworker, was not shortlisted.

The award ceremony will air live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on ABC on March 2, 2025, and Emmy-winning comedian Conan O’Brien will host.

Find the complete lineup of shortlisted films here.