SKOPJE: In a surprising move, North Macedonia has decided not to submit a film for the 97th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. This decision, confirmed by the Macedonian Film Professionals Association (DFRM), marks a significant moment for the country’s film industry, which has occasionally been absent from this prestigious category.
In an official statement, the DFRM explained that the Macedonian film industry did not produce a film this year that meets the stringent criteria set by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The submission period for the awards opened on 12 July 2024 and closed on 12 August 2024, but no suitable entry emerged during this time.
An Occasional Absence
This isn’t the first time that North Macedonia has opted out of the Oscar race. The country also did not submit a film for consideration in 2017 and 2013, highlighting the periodic challenges faced by its film industry in meeting the Academy’s standards.
Past Submissions
In contrast, 2023 saw North Macedonia submitting “Housekeeping for Beginners” / “Domakinstvo za pocetnici” by Goran Stolevski. This film was produced by Macedonian List Production in collaboration with several international production houses, including Polish Madants, Croatian Kinorama, Serbian Sense Production, and Kosovar Industria Film. The coproduction was further supported by Film I Väst, CommonGround Pictures, Causeway Films, and associated with Tango, New Europe Film Sales, and the Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund.
Looking Ahead
While this year’s absence is notable, it reflects the rigorous standards required for submission and the challenges of producing films that can compete on an international stage. However, the decision not to submit a film does not diminish the potential of North Macedonia’s film industry, which has seen success in previous years.
As the 97th Academy Awards approach, the spotlight will shift to the films that are submitted by other nations. North Macedonia, despite its absence this year, remains a country with rich cinematic potential, and its filmmakers are likely to continue striving for recognition on the global stage in the years to come.
