Oscars 2022 shortlist: Tamil drama Koozhangal out of race, documentary Writing With Fire makes the cut

Critically acclaimed Tamil drama Koozhangal (Pebbles), which was India's official entry in the international feature film category at the 2022 Academy Awards, is out of the Oscar race.

However, Indian documentary feature Writing With Fire has entered the next round. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the shortlists on December 22.

Koozhangal is helmed by first-time director Vinothraj PS. The film follows the story of an alcoholic man and his son, who set off to bring their wife/mother back home after she goes to her parents’ home. The film was screened at several international film festivals, including the prestigious International Film Festival of Rotterdam, where it became the first Tamil film to win the Tiger Awards, and the Shanghai Film Festival. It was also recently nominated for the Spirit Awards in the US, which are held a day before the Oscars.

Writing With Fire chronicles the rise of Khabar Lahariya, India's only newspaper run by Dalit women. The documentary is directed by Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh, also debutants. The film follows this ambitious group led by their chief reporter, Meera, as the team switches from print to digital in order to stay relevant.