Oscars 2027: Spain selects ‘La Bola Negra’, France picks ‘Minotaur’ as Vatican City makes historic first submission

The 2027 Oscars International Feature race is taking shape as Spain and France have announced their official selections, while Vatican City is preparing its first-ever submission to the Academy Awards. Spain has chosen La Bola Negra , directed by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, while France has selected Andrey Zvyagintsev’s Cannes Grand Prix winner Minotaur . The Vatican will submit Green Lava in the Documentary Short Film category.

La Bola Negra will represent Spain in the International Feature Film category after premiering in Competition at Cannes, where Calvo and Ambrossi shared the Best Director prize. The film stars Guitarricadelafuente, Miguel Bernardeau, Carlos González, Milo Quifes and Lola Dueñas, with Penélope Cruz and Glenn Close appearing in supporting roles. Its story connects three men across different eras through sexuality, desire, pain and inheritance, with its title drawn from an unfinished work by Federico García Lorca.