Italy Names Paolo Strippoli’s ‘The Spiral’ for Oscars International Feature
Italy has chosen Paolo Strippoli’s thriller ‘The Spiral’ as its entry for the 2027 Academy Award for Best International Feature Film. The film, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, follows a mother‑daughter relationship unraveling after a dark pact with a demonic figure. The selection comes…
By Felo News Desk · Published
Italy’s motion picture association ANICA has officially named Paolo Strippoli’s high‑concept thriller The Spiral as the country’s submission for the 2027 Academy Award for Best International Feature Film. The decision follows a rigorous selection process that considered 21 titles released between October 2025 and September 2026, all of which were theatrically distributed in Italy. The chosen film, which premiered in competition at the Venice Film Festival earlier this month, has already captured the attention of critics and audiences alike with its unsettling narrative and strong performances.
What Makes The Spiral Stand Out
At its core, The Spiral is a psychological thriller that centers on a mother‑daughter relationship that deteriorates after a shocking revelation. Valeria Bruni Tedeschi stars as a demonic entity known as The Stranger, who lures a young mother, played by Jasmine Trinca, into a Faustian pact. The film opens with a thunderstorm‑lit scene in which a woman named Anna appears at her daughter Alice’s house, claiming to have made a bargain with The Stranger to save Alice’s leg after an accident two decades earlier. According to the synopsis, the pact has set off a domino effect that has caused a series of tragic events. Only Alice can restore balance, but the cost may be too high.
What sets the film apart is its blend of supernatural intrigue with a deeply human story. The director, Paolo Strippoli, uses a tight, almost claustrophobic visual style to mirror the spiraling tension between the characters. The narrative is driven by the moral dilemma of whether to accept a bargain that offers immediate relief but threatens long‑term freedom. The film’s score, composed by an up‑and‑coming Italian composer, underscores the tension, while the cinematography captures the stormy atmosphere that frames the story’s emotional core.
The Selection Process and Italy’s Oscar History
ANICA’s commission of experts reviewed each submission against a set of criteria that included artistic merit, international appeal, and the potential to resonate with Academy voters. The shortlist also featured other Venice competition entries such as Nanni Moretti’s It Will Happen Tonight and Marco Bechis’s Back to Buenos Aires, both of which were strong contenders. However, the committee ultimately favored The Spiral for its unique blend of genre storytelling and universal themes of sacrifice and consequence.
Italy’s last triumph in the Best International Feature Film category was in 2014, when Paolo Sorrentino’s The Great Beauty won the Oscar. Since then, the country has produced several notable submissions, but none have captured the Academy’s attention in the same way. The selection of The Spiral signals a renewed confidence in Italian cinema’s ability to compete on the world stage.
What Happens Next?
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will announce the shortlist for the 2027 Oscars on December 15, with the final nominees revealed on January 21. The 99th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled for March 14 in Los Angeles. Italy’s entry will be promoted through international film festivals and press tours, and it will be up to the Academy voters to decide whether The Spiral will secure a nomination. If nominated, the film would join a competitive field that includes entries from the United Kingdom, France, and Japan, among others.
For Italian audiences, the selection of The Spiral is a moment of pride and anticipation. It also offers an opportunity for the film to reach a global audience, potentially opening doors for the director and cast in future international projects. The film’s release strategy, including potential distribution deals in the United States and other English‑speaking markets, will be closely watched by industry insiders.
Why This Matters for Italian Cinema
Choosing a film that blends genre elements with a strong narrative demonstrates Italy’s willingness to push creative boundaries. It also highlights the country’s commitment to supporting filmmakers who tackle complex themes while maintaining commercial viability. The international spotlight on The Spiral could inspire a new wave of Italian filmmakers to explore unconventional storytelling techniques.
In the broader context of global cinema, The Spiral represents a growing trend of international films that use supernatural or fantastical tropes to explore real human issues. Its potential success at the Oscars could encourage more such projects, diversifying the types of stories that receive worldwide recognition.
Key facts
- Italy names Paolo Strippoli’s thriller for 2027 Oscars
- Valeria Bruni Tedeschi leads a Faustian drama
- ANICA’s panel chose it over other Venice entries
- Last Italian Oscar win was 2014’s The Great Beauty
- Shortlist announced Dec. 15; ceremony Mar. 14
Why it matters
Italy’s selection of <em>The Spiral</em> underscores the country’s commitment to innovative storytelling and could revive its presence in the international awards arena, inspiring future Italian filmmakers to pursue bold narratives.
Frequently asked questions
What is the plot of The Spiral?
The story follows a mother and daughter whose relationship deteriorates after a demonic pact that promises to save the daughter’s leg but leads to a series of tragic events.
Who directed the film?
Paolo Strippoli directed and wrote the screenplay.
When will the Oscars shortlist be announced?
The shortlist is set for December 15, 2026.
How many films were considered for Italy’s submission?
Twenty‑one films were shortlisted, all released between Oct. 1, 2025, and Sept. 30, 2026.
What is the significance of Italy’s last Oscar win?
The last win was in 2014 with The Great Beauty, marking a 13‑year gap before this new submission.
Sources
- [1] variety.com — originally reported as “Oscars: Italy Selects Paolo Strippoli’s Thriller ‘The Spiral’ for International Feature Race”
