{"id":1229,"date":"2026-09-11T19:12:40","date_gmt":"2026-09-11T19:12:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/?p=1229"},"modified":"2026-09-11T19:12:40","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T19:12:40","slug":"berlin-2025-chad-lands-soumsoum-for-oscar-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/?p=1229","title":{"rendered":"Berlin 2025: Chad Lands ‘Soumsoum’ for Oscar Race"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chad\u2019s *Soumsoum, The Night Of The Stars* is its Oscar entry, screening at Toronto International Film Festival after its Berlin premiere.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Chad has officially cast its vote of confidence in Mahamat-Saleh Haroun\u2019s latest cinematic endeavor, Soumsoum, The Night Of The Stars<\/em>, selecting it as the country\u2019s official submission for the Best International Feature category at the upcoming 99th Academy Awards. This significant announcement comes on the heels of the France-Chad co-production’s lauded world premiere in competition at the Berlin International Film Festival, where it notably clinched the prestigious Fipresci prize. Film enthusiasts and industry professionals alike are now eagerly anticipating its North American debut at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), further solidifying its global presence on the vibrant film festival circuit.<\/p>\n

The Global Journey of Soumsoum<\/i>: From Berlin to Toronto and Beyond<\/h2>\n

Haroun\u2019s latest work, Soumsoum, The Night Of The Stars<\/em>, has already embarked on a compelling international journey, beginning with its high-profile premiere at the Berlinale. The critical acclaim it garnered there, particularly the Fipresci prize, underscored its artistic merit and narrative power, immediately positioning it as a film to watch. Its inclusion in the Toronto International Film Festival lineup is a crucial next step, offering a vital platform for the film to reach North American audiences and potential distributors. Such prominent showcases at top-tier film festivals are invaluable for independent films, often serving as a springboard for securing broader international distribution deals.<\/p>\n

The film itself is a captivating magical-realist drama, set against the breathtaking backdrop of Chad’s remote Ennedi region. It tells the poignant story of a teenage girl whose burgeoning supernatural abilities draw her into a profound spiritual world, creating friction within her traditional community. Her journey takes an unexpected turn when she forms a deep bond with an older woman, herself an outcast from the village, offering a nuanced exploration of identity, acceptance, and the mystical. Newcomer Ma\u00efmouna Miawama delivers a compelling performance alongside seasoned actors \u00c9riq Ebouaney and Achouackh Abakar Souleymane, bringing this powerful narrative to life. The collaborative spirit behind the production, with Florence Stern producing for France\u2019s Pili Films and Haroun\u2019s Chad-based Go\u00ef-Go\u00ef Productions as co-producer, highlights the growing trend of international co-productions in bolstering diverse cinematic voices. International sales are managed by Films Boutique, with KMBO having already overseen its theatrical release in France this past April, demonstrating early confidence in its commercial appeal.<\/p>\n

Mahamat-Saleh Haroun: A Champion for Chadian Cinema on the World Stage<\/h2>\n

The selection of Soumsoum, The Night Of The Stars<\/em> marks a significant milestone as Chad\u2019s fourth submission to the Academy Awards for Best International Feature, with all four entries proudly directed by Mahamat-Saleh Haroun. This consistent representation speaks volumes about Haroun’s unparalleled dedication to bringing Chadian stories to a global audience. His previous submissions include Abouna<\/em> in 2002, GriGris<\/em> in 2013, and Lingui, The Sacred Bonds<\/em> in 2021. While Chad has yet to secure an Oscar nomination or make the coveted shortlist, Haroun\u2019s repeated presence in this prestigious race underscores his status as a leading voice in African cinema and a relentless advocate for the continent’s rich storytelling tradition.<\/p>\n

This enduring commitment is particularly vital for independent film, where visibility and critical recognition can be scarce. Each submission not only elevates the profile of the specific film but also shines a brighter spotlight on the broader film industry within Chad and across Africa. For film festivals and awards bodies, these entries serve as crucial reminders of the diverse narratives and cinematic talent emerging from regions often underrepresented in mainstream Western media. The journey of Soumsoum<\/em>, from its Berlin premiere to its anticipated Toronto screenings and now its Oscar campaign, exemplifies the potential for independent filmmaking to transcend geographical boundaries and resonate with universal themes.<\/p>\n

Industry Implications: The Path to Global Distribution and Recognition<\/h2>\n

The strategic timing of this Oscar submission, following acclaimed festival premieres, significantly amplifies Soumsoum<\/em>\u2019s chances for broader international acquisition and distribution deals. For an independent film, the buzz generated by a strong festival run combined with an Oscar campaign can be transformative, leading to increased interest from buyers and ultimately, wider theatrical and streaming releases. This matters immensely for the global film industry as it underscores the commercial viability and artistic demand for non-English language cinema, particularly from regions like Chad that offer unique cultural perspectives. The heightened visibility provided by the Academy Awards process often translates into better box office performance and greater audience engagement, proving that compelling narratives transcend language barriers.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, Chad’s consistent participation, spearheaded by Haroun, contributes to shifting festival trends and industry perceptions, encouraging a more inclusive global cinematic landscape. It challenges existing paradigms, advocating for diversity not just in front of, but also behind the camera, highlighting co-production models that foster international collaboration and expand creative horizons for independent film projects.<\/p>\n

What Lies Ahead for Soumsoum<\/i> and the 99th Academy Awards<\/h2>\n

With the deadline for international feature submissions looming on September 30, the focus now shifts to the meticulous judging process by the Academy. The anticipation will build through the autumn, leading to the highly awaited announcement of the 15-film shortlist on December 15. Following this, the official nominations for all categories will be unveiled on January 21, 2027. Finally, the grand celebration of cinematic achievement, the 99th Academy Awards ceremony, is scheduled to take place on March 14, 2027. The entire film community will be watching closely to see if Mahamat-Saleh Haroun\u2019s poignant and powerful Soumsoum, The Night Of The Stars<\/em> can make history for Chad and secure its first-ever Oscar nomination, continuing its remarkable journey across the global film festival landscape.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n

\n

Quick Facts<\/h2>\n

Which film did Chad submit for the 99th Academy Awards?<\/h3>\n

Chad selected Mahamat-Saleh Haroun\u2019s Soumsoum, The Night Of The Stars as its entry for best international feature at the 99th Academy Awards.<\/p>\n

When is the 99th Academy Awards ceremony?<\/h3>\n

The 99th Academy Awards will take place on March 14, 2027.<\/p>\n

Where did Soumsoum, The Night Of The Stars premiere?<\/h3>\n

Soumsoum, The Night Of The Stars had its world premiere in Berlin competition in February, where it won the Fipresci prize.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Related Festivals:<\/strong> Toronto International Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival<\/p>\n

Tags:<\/strong> Toronto International Film Festival 2026, Soumsoum The Night Of The Stars, Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, Chad Oscar submission, Best International Feature<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chad\u2019s *Soumsoum, The Night Of The Stars* is its Oscar entry, screening at Toronto International Film Festival after its Berlin premiere. Chad has officially cast its vote of confidence in Mahamat-Saleh Haroun\u2019s latest cinematic endeavor, Soumsoum, The Night Of The Stars, selecting it as the country\u2019s official submission for the Best International Feature category at …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1230,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1229","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nBerlin 2025: Chad Lands 'Soumsoum' for Oscar Race - Film Fests<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/?p=1229\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Berlin 2025: Chad Lands 'Soumsoum' for Oscar Race - Film Fests\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Chad\u2019s *Soumsoum, The Night Of The Stars* is its Oscar entry, screening at Toronto International Film Festival after its Berlin premiere. Chad has officially cast its vote of confidence in Mahamat-Saleh Haroun\u2019s latest cinematic endeavor, Soumsoum, The Night Of The Stars, selecting it as the country\u2019s official submission for the Best International Feature category at …\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/?p=1229\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Film Fests\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-09-11T19:12:40+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"admin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"admin\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/filmfests.art\\\/?p=1229#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/filmfests.art\\\/?p=1229\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"admin\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/filmfests.art\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/f7f2f60bb8aa8387a879abd178b7657f\"},\"headline\":\"Berlin 2025: Chad Lands ‘Soumsoum’ for Oscar Race\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-09-11T19:12:40+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/filmfests.art\\\/?p=1229\"},\"wordCount\":1051,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/filmfests.art\\\/?p=1229#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/filmfests.art\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/09\\\/1487230_soumsoumthenightofthestarsdirmahamatsalehharoun_creditpilifilms_60055.jpg\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/filmfests.art\\\/?p=1229#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/filmfests.art\\\/?p=1229\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/filmfests.art\\\/?p=1229\",\"name\":\"Berlin 2025: Chad Lands 'Soumsoum' for Oscar Race - Film Fests\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/filmfests.art\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/filmfests.art\\\/?p=1229#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/filmfests.art\\\/?p=1229#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/filmfests.art\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/09\\\/1487230_soumsoumthenightofthestarsdirmahamatsalehharoun_creditpilifilms_60055.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-09-11T19:12:40+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/filmfests.art\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/f7f2f60bb8aa8387a879abd178b7657f\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/filmfests.art\\\/?p=1229#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/filmfests.art\\\/?p=1229\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/filmfests.art\\\/?p=1229#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/filmfests.art\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/09\\\/1487230_soumsoumthenightofthestarsdirmahamatsalehharoun_creditpilifilms_60055.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/filmfests.art\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/09\\\/1487230_soumsoumthenightofthestarsdirmahamatsalehharoun_creditpilifilms_60055.jpg\",\"width\":1024,\"height\":536},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/filmfests.art\\\/?p=1229#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/filmfests.art\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Berlin 2025: Chad Lands ‘Soumsoum’ for Oscar Race\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/filmfests.art\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/filmfests.art\\\/\",\"name\":\"Film Fests\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/filmfests.art\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/filmfests.art\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/f7f2f60bb8aa8387a879abd178b7657f\",\"name\":\"admin\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/b97824cc6e58ef0249589407f5fdec2d00272ffa9115f4f8685f55165fd04c60?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/b97824cc6e58ef0249589407f5fdec2d00272ffa9115f4f8685f55165fd04c60?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/b97824cc6e58ef0249589407f5fdec2d00272ffa9115f4f8685f55165fd04c60?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"admin\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/filmfests.art\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/filmfests.art\\\/?author=1\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Berlin 2025: Chad Lands 'Soumsoum' for Oscar Race - Film Fests","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/?p=1229","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Berlin 2025: Chad Lands 'Soumsoum' for Oscar Race - Film Fests","og_description":"Chad\u2019s *Soumsoum, The Night Of The Stars* is its Oscar entry, screening at Toronto International Film Festival after its Berlin premiere. Chad has officially cast its vote of confidence in Mahamat-Saleh Haroun\u2019s latest cinematic endeavor, Soumsoum, The Night Of The Stars, selecting it as the country\u2019s official submission for the Best International Feature category at …","og_url":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/?p=1229","og_site_name":"Film Fests","article_published_time":"2026-09-11T19:12:40+00:00","author":"admin","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"admin","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/?p=1229#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/?p=1229"},"author":{"name":"admin","@id":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/#\/schema\/person\/f7f2f60bb8aa8387a879abd178b7657f"},"headline":"Berlin 2025: Chad Lands ‘Soumsoum’ for Oscar Race","datePublished":"2026-09-11T19:12:40+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/?p=1229"},"wordCount":1051,"commentCount":0,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/?p=1229#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1487230_soumsoumthenightofthestarsdirmahamatsalehharoun_creditpilifilms_60055.jpg","inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/filmfests.art\/?p=1229#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/?p=1229","url":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/?p=1229","name":"Berlin 2025: Chad Lands 'Soumsoum' for Oscar Race - Film Fests","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/?p=1229#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/?p=1229#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1487230_soumsoumthenightofthestarsdirmahamatsalehharoun_creditpilifilms_60055.jpg","datePublished":"2026-09-11T19:12:40+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/#\/schema\/person\/f7f2f60bb8aa8387a879abd178b7657f"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/?p=1229#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/filmfests.art\/?p=1229"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/?p=1229#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1487230_soumsoumthenightofthestarsdirmahamatsalehharoun_creditpilifilms_60055.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1487230_soumsoumthenightofthestarsdirmahamatsalehharoun_creditpilifilms_60055.jpg","width":1024,"height":536},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/?p=1229#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Berlin 2025: Chad Lands ‘Soumsoum’ for Oscar Race"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/#website","url":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/","name":"Film Fests","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/#\/schema\/person\/f7f2f60bb8aa8387a879abd178b7657f","name":"admin","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b97824cc6e58ef0249589407f5fdec2d00272ffa9115f4f8685f55165fd04c60?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b97824cc6e58ef0249589407f5fdec2d00272ffa9115f4f8685f55165fd04c60?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b97824cc6e58ef0249589407f5fdec2d00272ffa9115f4f8685f55165fd04c60?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"admin"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/filmfests.art"],"url":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/?author=1"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1229","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1229"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1229\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1230"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1229"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1229"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfests.art\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1229"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}