'Joyland' becomes first Pakistani film to enter Oscars shortlist

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Thursday released its Oscar shortlists for the upcoming 95th edition in 10 categories

Pakistani film "Joyland" may have faced trials and tribulations at home but to the international community, it was a banger from the start and now has been shortlisted for the Oscars, the first ever movie to do so from the country.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Thursday released its Oscar shortlists for the upcoming 95th edition in 10 categories.

"Joyland" is among 15 films that made the cut for the best international feature film honour and will advance to the final stage of nominations.

The critically-acclaimed film follows a patriarchal family, craving for the birth of a baby boy to continue the family line, while their youngest son secretly joins an erotic dance theatre and falls for a trans woman.

Sania Saeed along with Ali Junejo, Aleena Khan, Rasti Faruq, Salman Pirzada, and Sohail Samir are part of the main cast. It is produced by Apoorva Guru Charan, Sarmad Sultan Khoosat, and Lauren Mann.

Films from 92 countries and regions were eligible in the best international feature film category. India's "Chhello Show" ("Last Film Show") also made it to the list, according to the official website of the Academy.

Other titles in the best international feature film category include Argentina's "Argentina, 1985", Austria’s "Corsage", Belgium’s "Close", Cambodia’s "Return to Seoul", Denmark’s "Holy Spider", France’s "Saint Omer", Germany’s "All Quiet on the Western Front", Ireland’s "The Quiet Girl", Mexico’s "Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths", Morocco’s "The Blue Caftan", Poland’s "EO", South Korea’s "Decision to Leave" and Sweden’s "Cairo Conspiracy".