Switzerland Picks Gaza Documentary 'Who is Still Alive' for Oscar Submission

Switzerland has selected the documentary Who is Still Alive, directed by Nicolas Wadimoff, as its entry for the Academy Award for best international feature film. The Swiss Federal Office of Culture announced the choice on 13 August. The film gives voice to survivors of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, focusing on nine Palestinian people who escaped the conflict and exploring the loss of home against the backdrop of the Gaza War. (Variety)

This is Wadimoff's third film dealing with Palestine, following Aisheen (Still Alive in Gaza) and The Apollo of Gaza. It had its world premiere at the 2025 Giornate degli Autori — the Venice Days sidebar of the Venice Film Festival. In early 2026 it won the Prix de Soleure at the Solothurn Film Festival and earned a nomination for best documentary at the Swiss Film Awards. (Variety)

Filming took place in South Africa, one of the few countries where Palestinians from the Gaza Strip can enter without a visa, according to a statement from Swiss Films. The Geneva-based production company Akka Films produced the documentary, with Nicolas Wadimoff, Philippe Coeytaux, and Ketsia Stocker credited as producers. Co-producers include Easy Rider Films in Paris, Philistine Films in Palestine and Jordan, Cocoon Films in London, and RTS Radio Télévision Suisse. (Variety)

Wadimoff said representing Switzerland at the Oscars with the film is a great honour and a responsibility to make the bodies and voices of the film's protagonists — survivors of Gaza — visible and audible. (Variety)

The film's release path spans several territories. First Hand Films holds the Swiss distribution. Watermelon Pictures will release the film in US cinemas. In France, distributor Una Mattina will bring it to theatres in October. The Swiss Consulate in Vancouver also supported a screening at the 2026 DOXA Documentary Film Festival. (Variety; Swiss Consulate Vancouver)

The international feature film category — formerly known as best foreign language film — honours feature-length works made outside the United States and predominantly in a language other than English. Countries submit one film each; the Academy then narrows the field to a shortlist and, eventually, five nominees. The submission deadline is 30 September. The 99th Academy Awards ceremony is set for 14 March. (Variety)