The selection of the national submissions for the competition for the OSCAR^® in the category International Feature Film are in most cases organized by the respective national film institutions. In Germany, German Films is responsible for the preparation, organization and implementation of the selection procedures. In this function, German Films' responsibilities are strictly of organizational nature. German Films itself is not represented in the selection committee.

German Films received five film submissions for the 98th Oscar® Competition in the category "Best International Feature Film".

The following five German films were submitted to German Films by German producers and qualify for the final selection:

AMRUM by Fatih Akin (Bombero International)
CRANKO (JOHN CRANKO) by Joachim A. Lang (Zeitsprung Pictures)
RIEFENSTAHL by Andres Veiel (Vincent Productions)
SOUND OF FALLING ( IN DIE SONNE SCHAUEN) by Mascha Schilinski (Studio Zentral)
THE TIGER (DER TIGER) by Dennis Gansel (Pantaleon Films)

The German selection committee for the 98th OSCAR^® selection consists of nine representatives of the following eight organizations and institutions:

• PROG -Producers of Germany e.V.
• Produktionsallianz (Allianz Deutscher Produzentinnen und Produzenten – Film, Fernsehen und Audiovisuelle Medien e.V.)
• Verband Deutscher Filmexporteure e.V.
• AllScreens – Verband Filmverleih und Audiovisuelle Medien e.V.
• AG-Kino - Gilde deutscher Filmkunsttheater
• Verband der Deutschen Filmkritik e.V.
• Bundesverband Regie e.V.
• Deutsche Filmakademie e.V. (2x)

The selection of the German entry for the Academy Awards® 2026 will take place on August 20 and 21, 2025 in Munich.

The 15-title "shortlist" of films submitted from the various countries for „Best International Feature Film“ will be announced on December 16, 2025.

The five nominated titles that will ultimately enter the race will be released on January 22, 2026.

The Academy Awards® ceremony will take place on March 15, 2026.