MEDIA RELEASE
In furtherance of this initiative, the NFC has constituted a dedicated body titled the National Oscars Selection Committee of Sri Lanka (NOSCSL). The Committee has been mandated to administer, oversee, and facilitate the selection process of Sri Lanka's official submission to the Academy Awards, ensuring full compliance with all prescribed rules, regulations, and international standards, in strict accordance with the regulations of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and in alignment with nationally recognized best practices.
Formation & Operations of the Committee
The National Oscars Selection Committee of Sri Lanka (NOSCSL) consists of nine (09) distinguished professionals, all of whom hold Sri Lankan citizenship and possess recognized expertise across key disciplines of the cinematic arts, including producing films, direction, screenwriting, cinematography, editing, film journalism and criticism, film programming and curating, as well as international film promotion. Notably, a significant majority, comprising eighty-nine per cent (89%) of the Committee members, is presently active within the Sri Lankan filmmaking industry. The members of the Committee have been appointed primarily on the basis of their extensive experience, professional excellence, and notable achievements, encompassing both national and international platforms.
The NOSCSL operates independently under the leadership of its Committee Chairperson. The Committee is formally vested with overseeing the administration and preliminary screening of all submissions, the reviewing of all eligible films, the systematic ranking and voting of such films according to established criteria encompassing artistic merit, storytelling, technical excellence, and cultural significance, and, ultimately, the recommendation and presentation of a single film as Sri Lanka's official submission to the Academy Awards. Throughout this process, all Committee members adhere to strict confidentiality regarding the films under consideration, as well as all related discussions and voting outcomes, until the official announcement is made. In the execution of its responsibilities, the Committee is resolutely committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct, including full transparency and the disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest, thereby safeguarding the integrity, credibility, and impartiality of the selection process.
Eligibility for Submission
A feature-length motion picture with a running time exceeding forty (40) minutes, containing more than fifty percent (50%) non-English dialogue, and publicly exhibited for a minimum of seven (07) consecutive days in a commercial motion picture theatre outside the United States and its territories, for the commercial benefit of both the producer and the exhibitor, and released within the eligibility period from 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2026, shall be eligible for submission for consideration in the International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards, scheduled to be held in 2027.
For complete rules and additional eligibility requirements, please refer to the official Academy Awards regulations available at:
https://www.oscars.org/oscars/rules-eligibility
With respect to submissions to the NOSCSL, it is hereby stipulated that a Sri Lankan feature-length motion picture must secure a minimum of fifty-one percent (51%) of its total financial investment from either a company duly incorporated in Sri Lanka or an individual possessing Sri Lankan citizenship. Furthermore, it is a mandatory requirement that at least one director of the motion picture holds Sri Lankan citizenship.
Instructions for Submission
The National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka (NFC) shall, upon a formal request from the National Oscars Selection Committee of Sri Lanka (NOSCSL), be invited to initiate the official call for film submissions at the commencement of August 2026.
Following the issuance of the public announcement, production companies or producers of eligible films may submit their entries to the NOSCSL in strict compliance with the prescribed eligibility criteria. All submissions must be complete in every respect and shall be accompanied by the following mandatory supporting documentation and materials:
- A duly completed application form together with the non-refundable submission fee
- A certified copy of the Certificate of Incorporation or Certificate of Registration of an Individual Business, and/or a certified copy of the National Identity Card or Sri Lankan Passport of the Producer
- The Director's biography, filmography, and a recent photograph
- The Producer's biography, filmography, and a recent photograph, or alternatively, a comprehensive profile of the production company inclusive of its filmography
- A brief synopsis and an extended (long) synopsis of the film
- A complete cast and crew list, including full on-screen credits
- A comprehensive list of the film's technical specifications
- Two (02) official film posters
- Five (05) to seven (07) official film stills
- A detailed list of official selections and awards received by the film at international film festivals
- A complete Electronic Press Kit (EPK)
- A copy of the National Film Corporation film registration certificate
- A copy of the Public Performance Board certificate
- Official confirmation letters, issued with full details by the National Film Corporation and the relevant exhibiting institution (film distribution circuit), verifying the film's theatrical release with a minimum continuous run of one (01) week
- Documentary proof of advertising undertaken for the film's theatrical release, including newspaper clippings or equivalent materials
- A downloadable link to the official film trailer with English subtitles
- A secure online film viewing link (Vimeo) with password access, inclusive of English subtitles
- A Digital Cinema Package (DCP) with English subtitles
★ Contact Information ★
All submissions of documents, materials, and inquiries pertaining to the National Oscars Selection Committee of Sri Lanka (NOSCSL) are requested to be directed to the following email addresses:
Chairperson
National Oscars Selection Committee of Sri Lanka (NOSCSL)
The National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka (NFC)
No. 303, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka