UK's Oscar Hope: Exile Film Eyes Top Awards

Pegah Ahangarani's "Rehearsals for a Revolution" has been selected as the United Kingdom's submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the upcoming Oscars. This marks a significant opportunity for the film, which Sony Pictures Classics had initially positioned for a Best Documentary nomination. It now has the potential to secure nods in both categories, a feat previously achieved by films like "Collective" and "Flee."

The film is rooted in Ahangarani's personal experience of living in exile from Iran and her subsequent re-establishment in London. To narrate her story and that of her homeland, she employs a rich tapestry of personal archives, home videos, newspaper clippings, and recorded voices, tracing 40 years of Iran's history. Earlier this year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences altered its submission rules, broadening the scope for films in the Best International Feature race.

"Rehearsals for a Revolution" premiered in the UK in September 2026 and is slated for qualifying runs in New York and Los Angeles in December 2026. It will officially open in select theaters on January 8, 2027. The film has already garnered critical acclaim, including the prestigious L'Oeil d'Or at Cannes, and has been showcased at Telluride and Toronto film festivals. It was recently honored with an Albie Award.

Sony Pictures Classics expressed excitement about the film's recognition, highlighting its momentum following accolades from Cannes and TIFF. They believe this selection as the UK's entry could be transformative, expanding the film's global audience and shining a light on Ahangarani's talent as a female filmmaker working in exile. The selection was made by a BAFTA film committee.