Morocco has selected the film “Everybody Loves Touda,” directed by Moroccan filmmaker Nabil Ayouch, as its Oscar-nominated submission for the 2025 Awards, the American industry publication Variety reported on Friday.
The film recounts the story of a young female poet who is compelled to perform pop songs in bars, despite her affinity for traditional music.
The film Everybody Loves Touda had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2024. MK2 Films, a distribution company, is handling the film’s international distribution.
Ayouch also produced the film “The Blue Caftan,” which made history in 2023 as the first Moroccan film to be shortlisted for an award at the Oscars.
Other countries have also announced their selections for the 2025 Oscars, with South Korea submitting the political drama “12.12.: The Day.” Directed by Kim Sung-su, it was the top-grossing film in Korea in 2023, making it a unanimous selection.
Japan’s entry, entitled “The Cloud” and directed by Kurosawa Kiyoshi, is a thriller exploring the blurred boundaries between the real and virtual worlds.
Kyrgyzstan has submitted “Heaven Is Beneath Mother’s Feet,” a story about a man on a pilgrimage to Mecca with his mother.
Germany’s nomination is for Mohammad Rasoulof’s film, entitled “The Seed of the Sacred Fig.” It addresses the political tensions in Iran.
Lithuania has selected the drama “Drowning Dry” by Laurynas Bareiša for representation at the upcoming film festival. The film, which won awards at the Locarno Film Festival, is about a family in the aftermath of tragedy.
Uruguay proposed the documentary “Hay Una Puerta Ahí,” translated to “There is a Door There.” It details the story of a relationship and the process a man goes through to help another person die.
Taiwan has chosen Old Fox, a multi-award-winning drama about a boy who is torn between his struggling father and a wealthy mentor.
Ireland has nominated “Kneecap,” a lively comedy centered on a trio of hard-partying Northern Irish hip-hop artists, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
The 2025 Academy Awards will showcase a diverse range of international entries, each seeking recognition in the Best International Film category.