Today a jury selected Universal Language to represent Canada as a contender for the Best International Feature Film at the 2025 Oscars@. Julie Roy, Executive Director and CEO of Telefilm Canada announced the choice during an online news conference this afternoon, accompanied by the filmmakers Matthew Rankin, Pirouz Nemati and Ila Firouzabadi. What She Said’ Anne Brodie attended.
Universal Language made its world premiere at Cannes and will launch in North America September 10 at TIFF. The film stars Rojina Esmaeili, Saba Vahedyousefi, Pirouz Nemati, Mani Soleymanlou and Rankin. who says “We are amazed by this improbable selection and we will do our very best to represent Canada at the Oscars”. He describes the film – “Winter. Somewhere between Tehran and Winnipeg. Negin and Nazgol find a large sum of money frozen deep within the sidewalk ice and try to find a way to get it out. Massoud leads a group of befuddled tourists on an increasingly absurd walking tour of Winnipeg monuments and historic sites. Matthew leaves his job at the Québec government and embarks upon a mysterious journey to visit his estranged mother. Time, geography and identities crossfade, interweave and collide into a surreal comedy of misdirection”.
As the appointed non-voting chair of the committee, Telefilm Canada organises the annual pan-Canadian Selection Committee for Canada’s Oscar submission comprised of industry professionals.
Universal Language begins its post-TIFF journey September 20, with a theatrical release date. In December the Academy shortlist of 15 titles will be selected to move forward. The Academy Awards® Ceremony takes place in Los Angeles March 2, 2025.