Croatia Selects ‘God Will Not Help’ For Oscars

Croatia has officially selected Hana Jušić’s directorial effort, ‘God Will Not Help’ (original title: ‘Bog nece pomoci’), as its contender for the Best International Feature Film award at the upcoming 99th Academy Awards ceremony. This selection marks a significant moment for the film and its director, who has previously garnered critical acclaim for her work. ‘God Will Not Help’ is Jušić’s second feature film as a solo director, following her debut, ‘Quit Staring at My Plate,’ which achieved considerable success and won multiple awards following its release in 2016. Her directorial filmography also includes collaborative projects such as ‘Transmania,’ and a series of well-received short films, including ‘Terrarium’ (Terarij) and ‘No Wolf Has A House.’ The Academy Awards, often referred to as the Oscars, are a prestigious set of awards for artistic and technical merit in the film industry, presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The Best International Feature Film category specifically recognizes feature-length motion pictures produced outside of the United States with predominantly non-English dialogue. Each eligible country can submit only one film for consideration in this category. The selection process for this submission typically involves a national committee or film academy within each country, which reviews a slate of submitted films and votes to determine the official entry. The 99th Academy Awards are scheduled to take place in 2027, honoring films released in 2026. The submission deadline for films to be considered for the 99th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category is typically in the fall of the preceding year, meaning Croatia’s selection in this period indicates the film has met the eligibility criteria for the 2026 release year. The Academy then shortlists the submissions, with nominations announced in early 2027. Hana Jušić, born in Šibenik, Croatia, has established herself as a notable voice in contemporary Croatian cinema. Her debut feature, ‘Quit Staring at My Plate,’ explored themes of familial relationships and societal pressures, resonating with both critics and audiences. The success of her debut provided a strong foundation for her subsequent projects. ‘God Will Not Help’ is anticipated to continue this exploration of complex human experiences, though specific plot details have not been widely disseminated in the context of its Oscar submission announcement. The film’s selection by Croatia signifies the country's belief in its potential to compete on a global stage. The Academy Awards have a long history of celebrating international cinema, providing a platform for diverse stories and filmmaking styles to reach a wider audience. Croatia has previously submitted films for Oscar consideration, with varying degrees of success in reaching the nomination stage. The selection of ‘God Will Not Help’ suggests a strategic choice by the Croatian film authorities to put forward a film they believe possesses the artistic merit and narrative strength to stand out among international entries. The journey from national submission to potential nomination and eventual win is a rigorous one, involving extensive campaigning and critical evaluation by Academy members. The film’s performance in international film festivals leading up to the submission period may have also played a role in its selection. The Academy’s voting process involves multiple rounds, with members of the International Feature Film Award committee narrowing down the initial submissions to a shortlist, followed by a full Academy vote for the final nominees.