TORONTO — A film about a Bulgarian-Canadian art consultant’s investigation into a supposed child prodigy from his homeland is Canada’s submission for Oscars consideration. Telefilm Canada announced Tuesday that “Nina Roza” is Canada’s pick for best international feature. The movie from director Geneviève Dulude-De Celles premiered at Berlinale earlier this year, where it won the Silver Bear for best screenplay, and it had a theatrical release in Quebec in April. The film follows Mihail, who returns to Bulgaria for the first time in decades to look into the authenticity of an eight-year-old artist whose abstract paintings went viral online. It’s a co-production between Canada, Italy, Bulgaria and Belgium. Each year, the Academy accepts submissions from countries around the world for the best international feature category, whittling the competition down to a short list of 15 before announcing the final nominees. To qualify, at least 50 per cent of the film must be in a language other than English. This year, for the first time, winners of qualifying awards at international film festivals are also eligible for the category, meaning there may be multiple films from the same country in the running for the Oscar. Those awards include the Golden Bear for best film at the Berlin International Film Festival; the Palme d’Or at Cannes, the Golden Lion at Venice and the Platform Award at the Toronto International Film Festival. A representative for Telefilm said no Canadian film can qualify through the festival awards route this year. The short list will be announced Dec. 15, followed by the nominations on Jan. 21. “We set out to create a nuanced film that leaves room for poetry and reflection in exploring the long-term impact of migration, legacy and identity,” Dulude-De Celles said in a written statement. “I hope the film’s journey, especially in the current context, will continue to foster discussions around these important and sensitive issues.” The 99th Academy Awards are set for March 14, 2027. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 25, 2026. Nicole Thompson, The Canadian Press
