Oscars: Czech Republic Selects Documentary Feature ‘If Pigeons Turned To Gold’ For Best International Feature Film Race

The Czech Republic has planted its flag early this year, selecting Pepa Ljubojacki’s documentary feature If Pigeons Turned to Gold as the country’s entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards.

Shot over a period of five years, the film follows Ljubojacki’s brother and two cousins whose addictions are slowly destroying their relationships and homes. The film debuted at this year’s Berlinale. 

The Czech Film and Television Academy is responsible for selecting the country’s Oscar submission. Speaking about the film, the Czech Academy said: “Using the DIY aesthetics, the director interlinks diary shots, stylized memories, live photos, as well as graphic collages, and without any sentiment tries to understand the reasons for their fall and also the impact of it on the whole family.”

The International Oscar shortlist will be announced on December 15 ahead of the full nominations on January 21, 2027. This year’s submission period marks the first under the new rules, which allow non-English-language films to be submitted for the International Oscar race if they win the top award at select international festivals, including Berlin, Cannes, Sundance, Toronto and Venice. 

Last year, Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value (Norway) won the International Oscar.