Brief
UK picks Iran documentary ‘Rehearsals for a Revolution’ for 2027 Oscar race
The film, Cannes L’Oeil d’Or winner, will run in qualifying theatres in December before a wider US release in early 2027.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The United Kingdom announced that Pegah Ahangarani's documentary Rehearsals for a Revolution will represent the country in the Best International Feature Film category at the 2027 Academy Awards, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
What happened
The film, which won the L’Oeil d’Or for best documentary at Cannes earlier this year, traces more than four decades of Iranian history through Ahangarani's personal exile experience and family stories. It premiered in Cannes' special screenings, then screened at Telluride and Toronto. The UK release occurred in September, and Sony Pictures Classics will stage Oscar‑qualifying runs in New York and Los Angeles in December, followed by exclusive openings at Los Angeles' Landmark Nuart Theatre and New York's Film Forum on Jan. 8, 2027, with a broader rollout thereafter.
What was said
Sony Pictures Classics said in a statement, "How extraordinary to see Pegah’s remarkable film recognized in this category… It is a recognition that will have a lasting impact not only on the life of this film, but on Pegah’s future career as a filmmaker."
How it came about
Earlier Felo News coverage highlighted other nations' Oscar submissions, such as the Philippines' ‘Filipiñana’ and Italy's ‘The Spiral’, underscoring the growing diversity of entries for the 99th Academy Awards. The Academy will announce a 15‑film shortlist on Dec. 15, with nominees revealed Jan. 21 and the ceremony set for Mar. 14, 2027.
Key facts
- The UK selected Pegah Ahangarani's documentary 'Rehearsals for a Revolution' as its 2027 Best International Feature Oscar entry. (hollywoodreporter.com)
- The film won the L’Oeil d’Or for best documentary at Cannes 2026. (hollywoodreporter.com)
- Sony Pictures Classics will run Oscar‑qualifying screenings in New York and Los Angeles in December 2026. (hollywoodreporter.com)
- Exclusive US openings are scheduled for Jan. 8, 2027 at Landmark’s Nuart Theatre (LA) and Film Forum (NY). (hollywoodreporter.com)
Sources
- [1] hollywoodreporter.com — originally reported as “Oscars: U. K. Selects Iran Doc ‘Rehearsals for a Revolution’ as Best International Feature Entry”
