Three titles have been announced as Spain’s three shortlisted candidates to represent the country at the 2025 Oscar ceremony in the best international film category. A spokesperson event this week confirmed the nominees: Malena Alterio, Belén Cuesta, and Vicky Luengo.
Blue Star by Javier Macipe, Marco by Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño, and José Mari Goenaga, and Second Prize by Isaki Lacuesta and Pol Rodríguez will compete to fly the flag for Spain at the awards in Hollywood. Two of the films center on real people from the music world, while the third investigates a memory from Spain’s past and a reality that has remained unsettled over time.
From a pool of forty-five submissions, three candidates were selected; only one can win the honor. They must pass through the Academy’s rigorous selection filters, a process that weighs artistic merit, international appeal, and the potential impact on Spain’s cinematic representation in the United States.
Many readers are likely wondering where these shortlisted titles can be viewed. The following outlines the platforms and viewing options currently available or upcoming.
Second Prize
The film directed by Isaki Lacuesta and Pol Rodríguez revisits the history of the legendary music group Planets. It presents a biographical portrait that goes beyond the band members, exploring what is known and what remains unknown about these musician friends. It premiered in cinemas on May 24 and, at present, has not been released on any streaming platform. If streaming is chosen as the distribution route, new information will be announced in due course.
Frame
Recently submitted out of competition at the Venice Festival, Frame stars Edward Fernández (also the star of the film 47) and this week’s reports recount the story of Enric Marco. The narrative centers on a man who believes his own lie and can persuade others to share it, until the truth begins to surface. There are no current streaming releases, but a cinema release is planned, with a national rollout scheduled for November 8.
Blue Star
The final candidate again leans into a musical core. Its protagonist is a real figure, Mauricio Aznar, the singer and leader of the Zaragoza rock band Más Birras. Although the film was expected to cover his professional career, it instead follows a personal journey toward self-discovery. It is available to stream on Movistar+ and Filmin.
There are still a few days remaining to learn which film will represent Spain in the best international feature category at the 2025 Oscars. The Academy has set September 18 as the date to announce the winner, a moment watched closely by audiences and industry alike. For ongoing coverage and official updates, notes and attribution can be found in the academy’s public announcements and industry commentary sources.