Catalan cinema is once again in the international spotlight as Óliver Laxe’s critically acclaimed film ‘Sirât’ heads to Hollywood. It has secured two nominations for the 98th Academy Awards. Spain’s Film Academy chose the film in September to represent the country, and it will now compete for the coveted golden statuettes in the Best International Feature Film and Best Sound categories.
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The production’s journey to the Dolby Theatre has been promising. In December, the Academy shortlisted ‘Sirât’ in an impressive five categories, and it ultimately earned final nominations in two. While considered for Best Cinematography, Casting, and Original Score, it did not make the final cut in those categories. This announcement places the Catalan co-production among the world’s elite, continuing a strong run of form for the local industry on the global stage.
A Competitive Field
In the highly competitive Best International Feature Film category, ‘Sirât’ is up against a formidable slate of global cinema. The other nominees include Brazil’s ‘The Secret Agent,’ France’s ‘It Was Just an Accident,’ Norway’s ‘Sentimental Value,’ and Tunisia’s ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab.’ This nomination marks a significant moment for director Óliver Laxe, a filmmaker known for his visually arresting and immersive style.
The nomination for Best Sound recognises the meticulous work of the film’s all-female sound team: Amanda Villavieja, Laia Casanovas, and Yasmina Praderas. The calibre of their competition, which includes Hollywood blockbusters such as ‘F1,’ ‘Frankenstein,’ ‘One Battle After Another,’ and ‘Sinners’ (one of this year’s most-nominated films), amplifies their achievement. The full list of 2026 Oscar nominations highlights the technical prowess required to compete at this level.
A Rich History at the Oscars
The two nominations for ‘Sirât’ bring the total number of Oscar nods for Catalan productions to 18, adding another chapter to a long and distinguished history. This success follows a triumphant showing for Catalonia at the 2024 awards. Just two years prior, J. A. Bayona’s ‘Society of the Snow’ competed for Best International Feature Film and Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Furthermore, Pablo Berger’s poignant ‘Robot Dreams’ was a contender for Best Animated Feature Film. Although neither took home an award, they cemented the region’s reputation as a creative powerhouse.
While nominations are a great honour, only two productions with Catalan ties have won an Oscar. The first victory came in 1979 when the Barcelona-born cinematographer Néstor Almendros won for his masterful work on Terrence Malick’s ‘Days of Heaven’. Nearly three decades later, in 2007, makeup artists Montse Ribé and David Martí of the studio DDT SFX won for their unforgettable creature effects in Guillermo del Toro’s dark fantasy, ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’.
From Clavé to the Present Day
Catalonia’s relationship with the Academy Awards dates back to 1953. The painter and multifaceted artist Antoni Clavé secured a double nomination for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design for the Hollywood film ‘Hans Christian Andersen.’ Eight years later, Luis García Berlanga’s ‘Plácido,’ shot in the Catalan city of Manresa, received a nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.
Director Francesc Rovira Beleta earned two nominations in the same category, first for the flamenco drama ‘Los Tarantos’ in 1964 and again for ‘Bewitched Love’ in 1968. The legendary Néstor Almendros followed his 1979 win with three more nominations in the 1980s. As the local industry prepares for the upcoming Goya Awards in Barcelona, the success of ‘Sirât’ serves as a powerful reminder of the region’s enduring cinematic legacy and its continued relevance in the global conversation.
