France Picks Russian Exile Zvyagintsev for Oscar Race

France selects Andrey Zvyagintsev's Cannes Grand Prix winner "Minotaur" as its entry for the 99th Academy Awards. The Russian director, who lives in France and has been an outspoken critic of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, qualifies under a 2025 Academy rule allowing filmmakers granted asylum or refugee status to represent their adoptive country. It marks the second consecutive year France has backed an exiled filmmaker after Jafar Panahi's nomination last year. MUBI releases theatrically in the US on November 20. The shortlist lands December 15; nominations January 21, 2027.