Oscars 2026: Francesco Costabile’s Familia selected as Italy’s entry for Best International Feature

Oscars 2026: Francesco Costabile’s Familia

Italy has locked in its pick for the 2026 Academy Awards: Familia, Francesco Costabile’s searing family drama that first grabbed attention at the Venice Film Festival.

The film, based on Luigi Celeste’s memoir, dives into his turbulent youth as a far-right militant and the violent legacy of a criminal father.

“Costabile has delivered a deeply personal yet universal story,” one film critic in Venice remarked when the movie premiered last year. The choice sets the stage for Italy to chase another Oscar, a decade after Paolo Sorrentino’s The Great Beauty took home the prize.

Festival pedigree and acting honors

At Venice, Familia premiered in the Horizons sidebar and immediately scored recognition. Francesco Gheghi, who plays Luigi, won Best Actor. He’s backed by Barbara Ronchi and Francesco Di Leva — the latter already a winner at Italy’s David di Donatello awards for his supporting role.

Produced by Attilio de Razza and Nicola Picone for Rome-based Tramp Limited, with co-producers Nicola Giuliano (Indigo Film) and Pierpaolo Verga (O’Groove), the film has strong backing. International sales are being handled by True Colours, a sign that the Oscar campaign will be anything but small.

A competitive Italian shortlist

Familia wasn’t alone in the race. It beat out 23 other shortlisted titles, including Gianfranco Rosi’s Below the Clouds, Pietro Marcello’s Duse, and Leonardo Di Costanzo’s Elisa. Notably, Sorrentino’s latest, La Grazia, didn’t qualify — its Italian release date falls just outside the eligibility window.

Italy’s most recent nomination came in 2024 with Matteo Garrone’s refugee drama Io Capitano. Last year’s entry, Maura Delpero’s World War II tale Vermiglio, made the shortlist but failed to secure a nod.

Also read: Oscars 2026: Israel selects 'The Sea' for Best International Feature category

What’s next in the Oscar race?

The Academy will unveil its first shortlist of 15 contenders on December 16, 2025, followed by final nominations on January 22, 2026. The 98th Academy Awards take place in Los Angeles on March 15, 2026.

FAQs

Q1: Who directed Familia?

Francesco Costabile directed Familia, adapting Luigi Celeste’s memoir.

Also read: Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound selected as India’s official entry for Oscars 2026

Q2: Which actor won awards for Familia?

Francesco Gheghi won Best Actor at Venice, while Francesco Di Leva won a David di Donatello for Best Supporting Actor.

Q3: When will the 2026 Oscars take place?

The 98th Academy Awards are scheduled for March 15, 2026, in Los Angeles.