Ukrainian Films Absent from 98th Academy Award Nominations.

Nominees for the 98th Academy Awards

According to TSN.ua: The American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the nominees for the 98th Academy Awards, with the ceremony scheduled for March 15, 2026. Notably, none of the 24 categories feature a film centered on Ukraine, a development that has caused concern within the Ukrainian film community. This comes at a time when Ukrainian cinema has been gaining international attention for its powerful storytelling.

Among the Ukrainian films that did not make the final list of nominees are:

• The documentary "2000 Meters to Andriivka" by Mstyslav Chernov
• The animated documentary "I Died in Irpin" by Anastasiia Falileieva
• The feature film "Rock, Paper, Scissors" by Franz Böhm

Despite their creative merit and the significance of their themes, these works were not recognized on this prestigious platform.

Leading Contenders and New Additions

This year, Ryan Coogler's film "The Sinners" leads the field with 16 nominations, making it a top contender for awards. A new category, "Best Casting," will also debut for the first time. Other notable films in this year's awards include:

• "One Battle After Another" – 13 nominations
• "Marti Suprm. The Genius of Combinations" – 10 nominations

Other categories to be presented at the 2026 Oscars include:

• Best Picture
• Best Director
• Best Actor and Best Actress
• Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress
• Best Live Action Short Film
• Best Animated Short Film
• Best Animated Feature Film
• Best Documentary Feature
• Best Documentary Short Film

While the Academy continues to honor cinematic achievements, the absence of Ukrainian films among the nominees highlights that Ukrainian cinema has yet to receive its due recognition on the global stage. This raises questions about the future development of Ukrainian film and its representation at major international platforms like the Oscars.

The omission of Ukrainian films from the Oscar nominations underscores the challenges faced by Ukrainian cinema in a highly competitive global market.

Despite the high creative potential and important social themes these works address, their lack of recognition could impact future investment and international audience and producer interest in Ukrainian cinema. This situation may, however, serve as a catalyst for more active support of Ukrainian filmmakers in the years to come.