The selection of the submissions for the competition for the OSCAR^® in the category International Feature Film is 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.

As of the 99^th Academy Awards season, there are now two ways to submit a film for consideration:

In addition to a film being submitted as an official selection by a country or region via the Academy-approved Selection Committees, a non-English language film can now be submitted for consideration by winning a qualifying award at an international film festival as specified in the International Feature Film Award Qualifying Festival List.

Qualifying festivals for the 99th Oscars® are the Berlin International Film Festival (Golden Bear for Best Film), Busan International Film Festival (Busan Award - Best Film Award), Cannes Film Festival (Palme d’Or), Sundance Film Festival (World Cinema Grand Jury Prize), Toronto International Film Festival (Platform Award) and Venice International Film Festival (Golden Lion). 

Additionally, in the International Feature Film category, the film will be credited as the nominee rather than the country or region, and the award will be accepted by the director on behalf of the film’s creative team. The director’s name will be listed on the statuette plaque after the film title and, if applicable, the country or region. 

The selection of a German entry for the 99^th Academy Awards® will take place on August 24th and August 25th, 2026 in Munich. The list of eligible films will be announced by mid-August 2026.

The German selection committee for the 99^th OSCAR^® selection consists of nine representatives of the following eight organizations and institutions:

• Produktionsallianz (Allianz Deutscher Produzentinnen und Produzenten – Film, Fernsehen und Audiovisuelle Medien e.V.)
• PROG – Producers of Germany e.V.
• Verband Deutscher Filmexporteure e.V.
• Deutscher Drehbuchverband e.V.
• AG Verleih-Verband unabhängiger Filmverleiher
• HdF Kino e.V.
• Bundesverband Regie e.V.
• Deutsche Filmakademie e. V. (2x)

The 15-title INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM shortlist will be announced on December 15, 2026.

The five nominated titles that will ultimately enter the race will be released on January 21, 2027.

The Academy Awards® ceremony will take place on March 14, 2027.