Croatia has selected 'God Will Not Help' as its entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 99th Academy Awards, announced by Deadline.
Croatia has announced Hana Jušić’s film God Will Not Help as its submission for the Best International Feature Film category in the upcoming 99th Academy Awards. This announcement was reported by Deadline on September 3, 2026. This submission marks a significant moment for the Croatian film industry, which has been participating in the Oscars since 1991 but has yet to make it to the shortlist stage.
According to the report, God Will Not Help is Hana Jušić’s second solo feature film, following her critically acclaimed debut, Quit Staring at My Plate, which won multiple awards in 2016. Jušić's body of work also includes collaborative projects such as Transmania and short films like Terrarium (Terarij) and No Wolf Has A House. The narrative of God Will Not Help revolves around a traditional mountain community facing internal conflict triggered by the arrival of a mysterious foreign woman claiming to be the wife of a long-absent man.
The film had its world premiere at the Locarno Film Festival in 2025, where it received the Best Performance Award for actresses Manuela Martelli and Ana Marija Veselčić. Following its premiere, God Will Not Help emerged as a festival favorite, screening at over 40 film festivals and earning 12 awards, including accolades in prestigious competitions held in Sarajevo and Thessaloniki. The recognition it garnered at these festivals adds to the anticipation surrounding its Oscar submission.
God Will Not Help was produced by Ankica Juric-Tilic for Kinorama and features notable co-producers from various countries, including Ines Vasiljević and Stefano Sardo for Nightswim (Italy), Ada Solomon for MicroFILM (Romania), and Didar Domehri for Maneki Films (France). The film received significant backing from various entities, including the Croatian Audiovisual Centre, Eurimages, and the Italian Ministry of Culture (MIC), among others.
Given Croatia's history of regularly submitting films to the Oscars without advancing to the shortlist, the entry of God Will Not Help may signify a renewed effort to gain international recognition for Croatian cinema. The film's festival accolades and strong narrative themes might resonate well with both audiences and Academy voters. However, the ultimate impact on the film's Oscar chances remains uncertain, as it has not yet been determined how it will compete against submissions from other countries.
The selection of God Will Not Help as Croatia's submission opens avenues for broader discussions about national filmmaking and international cinema's representation. As anticipation builds towards the awards, the film's trajectory through the festival circuit and its critical reception will likely influence its visibility and reception among Academy voters. The Croatian film industry continues to cultivate its identity on the global stage, and God Will Not Help serves as a pivotal point in its ongoing journey.
For more insights on international submissions at the Oscars, check out our coverage of Spain's 2027 Oscars International Feature Shortlist Announced. Additionally, see what’s happening in the festival circuit with our report on Telluride Film Festival Announces Lineup with Premieres of Oscar Contenders.
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