It's official: Familia, the latest intense work by Calabrian director Francesco Costabile, will represent Italy in the race for the 2026 Academy Award for Best International Feature Film. The decision, announced today by the Selection Committee established by ANICAcommissioned by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, it was unanimously chosen after careful consideration of the 24 films submitted.
Meeting in Rome in the presence of a notary, the committee—composed of Micaela Fusco, Alessandra Magliaro, Gabriele Muccino, Olivia Musini, Simona Paggi, Federico Pontiggia, Micaela Ramazzotti, Stefano Sardo, and Vito Sinopoli—chose Familia for its ability to tell a universal story with depth and authenticity, intertwining family drama and social commentary.
The film is now preparing for a global challenge, aiming to be shortlisted for the 15 best international films, which will be announced on December 16, 2025. The official nominations will arrive on January 22, 2026, while the Oscar ceremony will be held on March 15, 2026, in Los Angeles.
A work that speaks to the heart and shakes consciences
Presented at the 81st Venice Film Festival in the Orizzonti section, Familia has already won over audiences and critics, with young protagonist Francesco Gheghi awarded as Best Actor.
Based on Luigi Celeste's autobiography Non sarà sempre così, the film, distributed by Medusa Film and in theaters from October 2, 2024, addresses the issue of domestic violence with a raw and visceral narrative.
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The story revolves around Licia (Barbara Ronchi), a mother torn between work and childcare, and her husband Franco Celeste (Francesco Di Leva), a man recently released from prison, unable to abandon his violent nature. Licia's denunciations fail to keep him away, and his oppressive presence threatens the stability of the family, particularly that of her teenage son Luigi, who drifts into neo-fascist circles, absorbing an aggressiveness that increasingly distances him from his mother. In this context, domestic violence intertwines with the drama of a family trapped in a cycle of fear and brutality.
Costabile's direction: a Caravaggio of cinema
After the success of Una femmina (2022), Francesco Costabile confirms his ability to transform pain into art. With Familia, the Calabrian director constructs a powerful visual narrative, made of chiaroscuro reminiscent of Caravaggio's paintings. The dense and dark images reflect the emotional weight of the story, making tangible the torment of a family marked by violence. At the center of the film is Licia, played by the extraordinary Barbara Ronchi, who embodies the drama of a woman forced to navigate the subjugation imposed by patriarchal culture and the desire to protect her children.
A tradition that is renewed
With Familia, Italy aims to continue its glorious tradition in the Best International Film category, which has seen the triumph of masterpieces such as The Great Beauty by Paolo Sorrentino (2014), Roberto Benigni's Life is Beautiful (1999), and Giuseppe Tornatore's Cinema Paradiso (1990). Costabile's selection represents not only a recognition of his talent, but also an opportunity to bring global attention to a universal issue such as violence against women, told through a profoundly Italian lens.
The Road to Hollywood
The Oscar competition promises to be fierce, with the Academy increasingly giving international productions space in recent years. Making the December shortlist will be the first, decisive step for Familia. Meanwhile, the film continues to thrill Italian audiences in theaters, offering a compelling glimpse into life. For Costabile, this nomination is a prestigious achievement and a showcase to demonstrate, once again, the power of Italian cinema in telling stories that resonate with the world.
Comments (1)
I find the news of Familia's Oscar nomination interesting, and it's nice to see Italian cinema continue to enjoy visibility. I hope the film succeeds in addressing such a sensitive and important topic.