The documentary "Film di Stato" ("State Film") directed by Roland Sejko has been selected by Albania as a candidate for the 2027 "Oscar" awards, in the category of best international film.
The film, made on the basis of a vast wealth of archival materials, brings through images of the time a narrative about Albania during the communist regime and the way in which state propaganda built and conveyed the image of the country.
"State Film" gives a central role to film and photographic documents produced by state structures themselves, restoring them to a new historical context and constructing a narrative on the relationship between propaganda, power, and memory.
Roland Sejko, a filmmaker and researcher of audiovisual archives, is the author of several documentaries that deal with Albanian history through archival materials. His work is particularly focused on the documentation and revaluation of Albanian film heritage.
The selection of the film as the Albanian candidacy places the "State Film" in the international selection process for the 98th edition of the "Oscar" awards, which will culminate with the awards ceremony in 2027.
The nominations submitted by the respective countries will be subject to a selection process by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which will then determine the films that will proceed to the further stages of the competition.
Kosovo will have two chances to be nominated for the biggest award in cinematography. "Dua" directed by Blerta Basholli and "Shame and Money" directed by Visar Morina, are the two films aiming for the "Oscar". The first is the country's official candidate, the second has directly received the trophy ticket at the "Sundance Film Festival" and with the change in the regulations of the "Academy Awards".
For the film "Dua", in July of this year, it was the CCK Selection Committee - composed of Kaltrina Krasniqi, chairwoman, Antoneta Kastrati, Ilir Hasanaj, Tristan Halilaj, Vullnet Sanajja - that made the decision.
“The selection committee considered the artistic choice to tell such a complex story through the perspective of a minor to be particularly courageous. The character of Dua, interpreted with extraordinary maturity by Pinea Matoshi, brings an authentic, believable and emotionally meaningful performance. Through her authorial vision, Blerta Basholli constructs a heartfelt narrative that honestly addresses an important period in Kosovo's history. Combining an intimate perspective with universal themes of identity, trauma and resistance, 'Dua' demonstrates clear potential to resonate with international audiences and juries. Therefore, the Committee unanimously decides that 'Dua' should be Kosovo's submission for the 99th edition of the 'Oscar' awards,” the announcement read. Kosovo has had a three-year hiatus from submitting Oscar nominations, and this was seen as a loss of rhythm.
In 2023, the then-composition of the Selection Committee came to the conclusion that there is no film that meets the conditions for candidacy for nomination in the international film category of the "Oscar". In 2024, the justification that the CCK had "problems with e-mails" was the next blow, which marked the absence of Kosovo in the list of countries that sent candidates. For two consecutive years, well-known names from Kosovo who deal with this field reacted and advised the CCK not to act in this way. Last year, it was again assessed that there is no film that meets the conditions.
And this year, they reacted faster. They opened the call on June 12th and it was open for two weeks.