Culture 3 min read By Trevor Kendall
Germany Selects Sandra Wollner’s ‘Everytime’ for Oscars International Feature Race
Germany’s official Oscar submission is Sandra Wollner’s ‘Everytime,’ a drama about loss and grief. Two additional German films also qualified under new Academy rules for major festival prize winners.
Germany has selected Sandra Wollner’s feature film «Everytime» as its official submission for the International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards. The announcement was made by the jury appointed by German Films, the national promotion agency. The film will represent the country in the race for the Oscar, which is set to take place in 2027.
According to the film’s synopsis, «Everytime» tells the story of Ella, a mother who has lost her daughter Jessie. The last photograph Jessie took shows the sun over Berlin, hanging in the sky as if nothing had happened. What remains for Ella is Jessie’s younger sister, and the film explores the aftermath of this profound loss. The narrative appears to center on grief, memory, and the fragile connections that hold a family together after a tragedy.
In addition to the official selection, two other German productions have also qualified for the same Oscar category under new Academy rules. The films «Yellow Letters» and «Shame and Money» have earned their spots by winning top prizes at major international film festivals. This marks a significant change in how Germany approaches the awards season, as the country now has three films in contention rather than a single official entry.
The new Academy regulations allow films that have won the top prize at certain major festivals to be considered for the International Feature Film category without being their country’s official selection. This rule change has opened the door for multiple films from the same country to compete in the same year. For Germany, this means that «Everytime» will be joined by «Yellow Letters» and «Shame and Money» in the race, giving the country a stronger presence in the category.
Sandra Wollner is known for her distinctive approach to filmmaking, and «Everytime» has already generated attention on the festival circuit. The film’s selection by the German Films jury signals confidence in its artistic merit and its potential to resonate with Academy voters. The jury’s choice reflects a commitment to showcasing German cinema that is both personally resonant and thematically ambitious.
The 99th Academy Awards will mark another competitive year for the International Feature Film category, with countries around the world submitting their most celebrated works. Germany’s decision to back «Everytime» as its official entry, while also having two additional films in the running, underscores the strength and diversity of contemporary German cinema. The final nominations for the category will be announced ahead of the ceremony, with the winner to be revealed at the Oscars.
