Lee Sang-il’s Kokuho was an undeniable hit in Japanese cinemas this past year, becoming the second highest grossing film of all time in the country. As a result it should come as no surprise that the Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan, also known as EIREN, has selected the film as the country's submission for "Best International Film" at the upcoming 98th Academy Awards.

The film tells the story of the grueling journey of two young actors to reach the pinnacle of Kabuki performance, to become Kokuho, a national treasure. Alicia Haddick sang its praises in our official review, and it's been a hit at film festivals around the world as well.

The submission will be one of many to be voted on by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the potential to win an Oscar at the next awards ceremony. There is always stiff competition in the category each year, but we think Kokuho has a pretty good shot thanks to its incredibly close attention to detail and accuracy in the depiction of Kabuki as an art form. We'll be looking forward to seeing the results on 15 March, 2026.