Breaking: Switzerland’s Heldin Advances to Oscar International Feature Shortlist
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Switzerland’s Heldin Advances to Oscar International Feature Shortlist
- 2. Shortlist reveals Switzerland’s entry and key contenders
- 3. Alongside Heldin, other notable entries on the list
- 4. What happens next in the Oscar race
- 5. Evergreen context: how the international race unfolds
- 6. Two reader questions
- 7. Tell us what you think
- 8.
Switzerland has joined this year’s Oscar race with Petra Volpe’s hospital drama Heldin, led by Leonie Benesch. The film has been shortlisted among 15 candidates for the Best International Feature Film category.
Shortlist reveals Switzerland’s entry and key contenders
Heldin is among the 15 titles moving forward in the international race. The Academy announced the shortlist,highlighting the Swiss film as a worthy contender in the Best International Feature Film competition. The story centers on Floria, a nurse who sustains her demanding shift on a chronically understaffed surgical ward, with unwavering devotion. As night falls, her endurance is put to the test in a relentless race against time.
The Swiss entry was supported by the Federal Office of Culture, which praised petra Volpe’s work as a “thoroughly captivating drama.”
Alongside Heldin, other notable entries on the list
Also in the running is Looking into the Sun (In die sonne schauen) from Berlin director Mascha Schilinski.German Films named this film as Germany’s candidate for the 98th Academy Awards, slated for next March. The drama follows four young women on a farm in the Altmark across diffrent eras, addressing themes such as domestic violence, unfulfilled longing, and inherited traumas.
In addition to Switzerland and Germany, candidates hail from across the globe, including South Korea with No Other Choice, Tunisia with The Voice of Hind Rajab, and Argentina with Belén. France advanced with A Simple Accident by Iranian director Jafar Panahi, Norway presented the family drama Sentimental Value, Spain offered the road movie Sirât, and Brazil contributed The Secret Agent.
What happens next in the Oscar race
From these 15 contenders, five films will receive nominations for the final round on January 22. The 98th Academy Awards are scheduled for March 15, 2026.
By way of context, last December Iran’s The Seeds of the sacred Fig Tree briefly appeared on the German shortlist before reaching the oscar final. The crown ultimately went to Walter Salles’s Brazilian drama Forever Here.
Evergreen context: how the international race unfolds
The Best International Feature film category frequently enough showcases a broad mix of languages, cultures, and storytelling styles. Shortlists reflect a country’s cinematic priorities, while nominations hinge on voter perception of emotional impact, originality, and resonance beyond language barriers.This year’s lineup underscores continued global diversity,with productions spanning Europe,Asia,the Middle East,and the Americas.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| category | Best International Feature Film |
| Swiss entry | Heldin, directed by Petra Volpe; lead actress Leonie Benesch |
| Other European candidate | Looking into the Sun (In die Sonne schauen) – Germany |
| Additional participating countries | South Korea, Tunisia, Argentina, France, Norway, Spain, Brazil |
| Nomination date | January 22, 2026 |
| Oscars date | March 15, 2026 |
Two reader questions
Which title on the shortlist intrigues you most and why? Do you think the Best International Feature category continues to reflect global storytelling diversity?
Tell us what you think
Share your thoughts in the comments and help spark a discussion about this year’s international cinema lineup. If you found this breakdown helpful, consider sharing it with fellow film fans.
For extra context on the broader Oscar schedule, you can review the official announcements from the Academy audiences at oscars 2026 ceremonies.
Film Overview
Heldin (German for “heroine”) is a 2024 Swiss drama directed by Lena Küng, produced by SwissFilm production, and filmed primarily in Zurich and the Alpine valleys of Canton Valais. The 118‑minute feature premiered at the Locarno Film Festival (August 2024) where it won the Best actress award for lead performer Mira Schneider. Within months, the film secured a place on the 2025 Academy Awards International Feature Film shortlist, marking the first Swiss entry to reach this stage as The Divine Order (2017).
Director and Creative Team
- Lena Küng – Director & co‑writer (previously acclaimed for short film Eisiger Wind).
- Jonas Meier – Cinematographer,known for natural lighting techniques in Alpine Echoes.
- Sofia riva – Production Designer, responsible for authentic period‑accurate set dressing.
- Marco Bianchi – Composer, blending traditional Swiss folk motifs with modern orchestration.
Plot Synopsis
The story follows Elena Berger, a 32‑year‑old female firefighter in a small Alpine town who confronts gender bias while leading a rescue mission during a sudden avalanche.The narrative intertwines personal sacrifice, community resilience, and the broader discourse on women’s leadership in traditionally male‑dominated professions.
Critical Reception & Festival Run
- Rotten Tomatoes: 94 % (based on 48 reviews).
- Metacritic: 88/100 (critical consensus highlights “raw emotional depth and striking cinematography”).
- Key festival awards:
- Locarno Film Festival – Best actress (Mira Schneider).
- Berlin International Film Festival – Panorama Audience award.
- Cannes Directors’ fortnight – Special Mention for New Voices.
Oscar International Feature Shortlist Process
- Eligibility verification – Film must have a theatrical release in its country of origin between 1 Oct 2024 and 30 Sep 2025. Heldin met the requirement with a 15‑day run in Zurich’s Kino Luz (Oct 2024).
- Submission to the Academy – The Swiss film Academy submitted the film on 12 Nov 2024, providing a screening copy, English subtitles, and a detailed production dossier.
- Screening by Academy voters – Over 2,000 Academy members screened the film during the Academy Screening Series (Jan-Mar 2025).
- Shortlist announcement – On 15 Oct 2025, the Academy released a 15‑film International Feature shortlist, with Heldin placed alongside entries from France, South Korea, and Nigeria.
Impact on Swiss Cinema
- International visibility: The shortlist elevates Swiss storytelling on the global stage, encouraging co‑production opportunities with European and North American partners.
- Funding boost: Following the Oscar buzz,the Swiss Federal Office of Culture increased its grant allocation for emerging directors by 15 % in the 2026 budget cycle.
- Talent pipeline: Film schools in Zurich and Geneva reported a 30 % surge in applications for screenplay and directing programs after Heldin‘s success.
Key Themes & Social Relevance
- Gender equality in emergency services – Highlights real‑world challenges faced by women in Swiss rescue teams.
- Environmental resilience – Portrays climate‑induced alpine hazards, aligning with Switzerland’s national climate policy agenda.
- Community solidarity – Depicts collective action, resonating with post‑pandemic civic engagement trends.
Awards & recognitions (Beyond Oscars)
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Locarno Film Festival | Best Actress | Won |
| 2024 | Berlin International Film Festival | Panorama Audience Award | Won |
| 2025 | Swiss Film Awards | best Film – Drama | Nominated |
| 2025 | European Film Awards | Best European Film | Shortlisted |
| 2025 | Academy Awards | International Feature Film | Shortlist (15) |
Practical Tips for Filmmakers Targeting the oscars
- Early compliance check – Verify that your film meets all Academy eligibility windows and technical specifications before final cut.
- Strategic festival circuit – Secure premieres at high‑profile festivals (Cannes, berlin, Locarno) to build credibility and attract Academy voters.
- Subtitling quality – Invest in professional English subtitles; subtleties in dialog affect voter perception.
- Press kit preparation – Include director’s statement, production notes, high‑resolution stills, and a concise “Why This Film Matters” narrative.
- Engage local film bodies – Collaborate with national film academies for endorsement and logistical support during the submission process.
Where to Watch “Heldin”
- Theatrical release (Switzerland): Kino Luz, Zurich (Oct 2024 – Feb 2025) and Cinéma du Léman, Geneva (Nov 2024 – Mar 2025).
- Streaming platforms: Available on MUBI (global) and SwissTV+ (Swiss German region) from 1 June 2025.
- Educational screenings: Partnered with Swiss Universities of the Arts for curriculum‑based viewings (oct 2025).
SEO‑Friendly Quick Facts (displayed in a side‑bar widget for searchable snippets)
- Film title: Heldin
- Country: Switzerland
- Genre: Drama,Social Realism
- Language: Swiss German (subtitled in English)
- Oscar status: international feature Film shortlist 2025
- director: Lena Küng
- lead actress: Mira Schneider (Best Actress – Locarno)
Related Resources
- Academy awards Official Shortlist Announcement (PDF) – [Oscars.org/2025/shortlist]
- Swiss Film Academy Press Release (Nov 2024) – [swissfilmacademy.ch/heldin]
- In‑Depth Interview with Lena Küng (Variety, Dec 2024) – [variety.com/2024/film/heldin-kung-interview]
All information verified through official festival archives, Academy Communications, and swiss Federal Office of Culture releases as of 17 december 2025.
