Spain selects “La Bola Negra,” directed by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, as its entry for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film at the 99th Oscars. The Spanish Film Academy confirms the choice during a press conference. Multiple outlets describe the film as a breakout from the Cannes Film Festival, tied to a strong reception at other major festivals.
The film is positioned as a civil-war-era story featuring three intertwined queer narratives, and Deadline reports it also pays tribute to a murdered Spanish poet. Other Spanish contenders considered for the submission include Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s “The Beloved” starring Javier Bardem and Alauda Ruiz de Azua’s “Sundays,” which has won at the Goya Awards and the San Sebastián Film Festival, according to the reports. Euronews notes that “La Bola Negra” is shortlisted to represent Spain while additional nominations for the civil-war drama are still pending.
Outlet emphasis differs: Deadline focuses on the film’s LGBT heritage and Academy selection process; Hollywood Reporter highlights Cannes success and distribution interest; Variety frames it within Spain’s broader international feature shortlist strength.
