How Kantara: Chapter 1 and Tanvi The Great Qualified for Oscars 2026 Best Picture

As anticipation builds for the 98th Academy Awards (Oscars 2026), the Best Picture category - the most prestigious honour of the night - has drawn global attention, not only for its nominees but also for the eligibility rules that govern it. To qualify for Best Picture, films must first meet the Academy’s basic entry requirements and then clear additional criteria set by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).

Basic Eligibility & Expanded Requirements

For any film to qualify for Oscars consideration, it must:

• Have a commercial theatrical release between January 1 and December 31, 2025.

Screen in a commercial motion picture theater in key U.S. metro areas (such as Los Angeles County, New York City, Chicago, etc.).

Complete a minimum run of seven consecutive days.

Be over 40 minutes long.

However, Best Picture has additional eligibility conditions beyond these baseline rules:

Key Best Picture Criteria

1. RAISE Form Submission:
   Producers must submit a confidential Academy Representation and Inclusion Standards Entry (RAISE) form certifying compliance with inclusion metrics.
   
   
   
   
2. Inclusion Standards Compliance:
   Films must meet at least two of four inclusion standards related to on-screen representation, creative leadership diversity, industry access/opportunities, and audience development. These standards reflect AMPAS’s commitment to broad representation in storytelling and filmmaking.
   
   1. Expanded Theatrical Engagement:
      Beyond one city, Best Picture candidates must complete a seven-day theatrical run in at least 10 of the top 50 U.S. markets within 45 days of their initial release in 2025.
      
      
   Only films complying with all these requirements are listed in the Best Picture eligibility roster, which this year includes 201 feature films globally.

   Indian Films Making the Cut

   This year marks a notable moment for Indian cinema: two Indian films Kantara: Chapter 1 and Tanvi The Great have successfully met every eligibility condition and are now in contention for Best Picture.
   • Kantara: Chapter 1: Produced by Hombale Films and directed by Rishab Shetty, this film explores deep cultural roots and mythology from the Tulunadu region, tracing ancient traditions and community bonds.
   • Tanvi The Great: Directed by Anupam Kher, this narrative centers on Tanvi Raina, a young girl living with autism who dreams of serving her nation inspired by her late father’s legacy.
   Both films secured theatrical runs across major U.S. markets, submitted the required RAISE documentation, and met inclusion standards meeting AMPAS’s rigorous benchmarks for Best Picture eligibility.

   What’s Next in the Oscars Timeline

   While inclusion on the eligibility list is a significant achievement and a point of pride for Indian cinema it doesn’t guarantee a nomination. Members of AMPAS across branches will vote to determine the Top 10 Best Picture nominations, which will be announced on January 22, 2026. The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will take place in March 2026, celebrating cinematic excellence across 24 categories.