Indian film ‘Homebound’ has moved to the next round of voting in the International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards. The Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa starrer now stands among just 15 global contenders for Oscar 2026 nominations.
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Indian cinema is smiling again on the world stage. This time the spotlight is on ‘Homebound’. It is a quiet yet powerful film that has officially moved to the next round of voting in the International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards.
Fifteen films advanced to the next round of voting in the International Feature Film category. Here’s where they land on the map:
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Argentina, BELÉN
Brazil, THE SECRET AGENT
France, IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT
Germany, SOUND OF FALLING
India, HOMEBOUND
Iraq, THE PRESIDENT’S CAKE… pic.x.com/BayF3hOfeMAdvertisement
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) January 5, 2026
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced that fifteen films from around the world have advanced to the next round of voting for Best International Feature Film.
Among them is India’s ‘Homebound’, standing shoulder to shoulder with films from Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Iraq, Japan, South Korea, Spain, and several other countries.
This shortlist is a big deal. Out of films submitted by 86 countries and regions, only fifteen have survived this tough cut. That alone puts ‘Homebound’ in rare company.
The shortlist includes well-received films like ‘Belen’ (Argentina), ‘The Secret Agent’ (Brazil), ‘It Was Just an Accident’ (France), ‘Sound of Falling’ (Germany), ‘The President’s Cake’ (Iraq), ‘Kokuho’ (Japan), ‘Palestine 36’ (Palestine), ‘No Other Choice’ (South Korea), and ‘Sirat’ (Spain), among others.
Sharing the update, The Academy posted on social media that the selected films have now moved forward in the Oscar race with a world map showing where each shortlisted movie comes from.
‘Homebound’ stars Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa as childhood friends Shoaib and Chandan. Their lives are shaped by one shared dream: to join the police force. As they grow older, ambition, duty, social pressure test their bond.
Janhvi Kapoor brings vulnerability to a film that quietly reflects the challenges faced by young people in India today.
The film is directed by Neeraj Ghaywan who directed ‘Masaan’. ‘Homebound’ is production of Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, and Apoorva Mehta, with Marijke deSouza and Melita Toscan Du Plantier as co-producers. Legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese and Pravin Khairnar are executive producers.
This strong creative backing has helped the film travel to major international festivals. The list includes Cannes, Toronto International Film Festival, and Melbourne International Film Festival, where it received strong appreciation.
The final nominations for the Academy Awards will be out on Thursday, January 22. If ‘Homebound’ makes it to the final list, it will mark yet another historic chapter for Indian cinema.
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