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Italy selects 'Familia' for Best International Feature Film
Italy has officially chosen Francesco Costabile's biographical drama 'Familia' as its submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards. The decision, announced by Italy's film body ANICA, positions the Venice-premiering title among global contenders for the Academy Awards 2026.
Story and creative team
'Familia' is adapted from Luigi Celeste's memoir Non sarà sempre così and was co-written by Costabile, Vittorio Moroni and Andriano Chiarelli. The film chronicles Celeste's youth as a far-right militant, shaped by domestic violence and the shadow of a criminal father. The emotional biopic debuted in the Orizzonti sidebar at the Venice Film Festival in 2024, drawing attention for its raw social portrait and strong performances.
Cast, production and international sales
The cast includes Francesco Gheghi, Barbara Ronchi and Francesco Di Leva — the latter earning a David di Donatello for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film. 'Familia' is lead produced by Attilio de Razza and Nicola Picone at Rome-based Tramp Limited, with co-producers Nicola Giuliano (Indigo Film) and Pierpaolo Verga (O'Groove) and in association with Medusa Film. International sales are being handled by Rome-based True Colours, which will steer global distribution and festival placements as the film enters the Oscar race.
Selection process and competition
ANICA considered 24 submissions for the 2026 Best International Feature Film slot. Notable contenders included Gianfranco Rosi's Below the Clouds, Pietro Marcello's Duse and Leonardo Di Costanzo's Elisa. The selection committee comprised established industry figures such as Micaela Fusco, Alessandra Magliaro, Gabriele Muccino, Olivia Musini, Simona Paggi, Federico Pontiggia, Micaela Ramazzotti, Stefano Sardo and Vito Sinopoli. Their vote elevated 'Familia' as Italy's official entry, reflecting the film's festival pedigree and topical narrative.
Context: Italy's recent Oscar history and eligibility notes
Italy's most recent Academy Award win in the Best International Feature Film category was Paolo Sorrentino's The Great Beauty in 2014. For the 2026 race, ANICA's previous submission was Maura Delpero's Vermiglio, which reached the Academy shortlist after winning Venice's Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize in 2024. Sorrentino's new film La Grazia was not submitted: its local release is scheduled beyond the Academy's eligibility window of October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025, making it ineligible for the 98th Academy Awards.
What to watch for
As 'Familia' enters the Best International Feature Film race, attention will turn to festival screenings, critic reviews, and how international buyers and awards voters respond. With its Venice debut and strong production partners, the film is well positioned for awards season, but it will face stiff competition from other national submissions and established festival titles vying for Academy recognition.
For global crypto and entertainment audiences tracking cultural events alongside market sentiment, 'Familia' offers a high-profile example of how festival acclaim and national selection processes can influence a film's international visibility and distribution strategy.
Source: deadline
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