The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Tuesday unveiled its shortlists for the 2023 Oscars in 10 categories, including best international feature, to which Israel’s official contender failed to make the cut.
Cinema Sabaya, the first full-length feature from Israeli director Orit Fouks Rotem, tells the story of eight Arab and Jewish women taking part in a documentary filmmaking workshop, which creates an intriguing group dynamic that challenges participants' held views and beliefs.
The film was released in August 2021 to critical acclaim and swept the local Ophir Awards in September.
Several documentaries made by Israelis in the past year will also not feature in the 95th Academy Awards, including Tantura, Black Notebooks, and The Camera of Doctor Morris.
The controversial Jordanian film Farha, which includes a scene depicting IDF soldiers brutally executing a Palestinian family, was also not included.
The categories whose contender shortlists have been released are Documentary Feature Film, Documentary Short Film, International Feature Film, Makeup and Hairstyling, Music (Original Score), Music (Original Song), Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film, Sound, and Visual Effects.
One of the candidates that stood out most was the movie Avatar: The Way of Water, which made it onto four of the ten lists. Top Gun: Maverick starring Tom Cruise also made it into three categories.
The nominations for the 95th Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, and the ceremony itself will be held on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at the Dolby Theater at Ovation Hollywood.