Historic First: Syria Submits Post-Assad Regime Oscar Entry with 'The Other Side of the Sun'

Tawfik Sabouni’s compelling documentary, “The Other Side of the Sun,” has been officially selected to represent Syria in the best international feature film category at the 2027 Academy Awards. This significant announcement marks a pivotal moment for Syria, as it is the country’s first Oscar candidate since the fall of Syrian dictator Bashar Assad’s regime in December 2024, ushering in what an Andana statement describes as "a new chapter in the country’s participation in the international awards landscape.”

The film, which had its world premiere as part of the Panorama section of this year’s Berlinale, delves into profound humanitarian themes. It follows director Tawfik Sabouni as he returns to the Syrian capital of Damascus immediately following the collapse of the Assad regime. There, he confronts the harrowing experiences of the past by meeting four fellow former detainees of the notorious Saidnaya prison. Through powerful reenactments staged inside the prison itself, the documentary transforms personal memories into impactful testimonies, vividly illustrating the enduring resilience and an unbroken will to survive amidst extreme adversity, as highlighted by Andana’s promotional materials.

Worldwide sales for “The Other Side of the Sun” are being managed by Andana Films, which also revealed that New York-based Icarus Films has secured the U.S. distribution rights. The selection process itself underscores a shift in Syria’s cultural landscape; the choice was announced by Syria’s General Organization for Cinema and represents the inaugural selection made by Syria’s newly formed committee, which holds accreditation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).

According to the General Organization for Cinema, the film's selection is rooted in a "distinctive cinematic and humanitarian context." It meticulously explores the profound experience of imprisonment within Saydnaya Prison, which stands as one of the most prominent detention sites deeply embedded in Syria’s recent history and collective memory during the decades of the previous rule. The narrative is uniquely framed through the personal experience of director Tawfik Sabouni, who himself was previously incarcerated there, alongside the four other survivors whose stories he shares.

Director Sabouni expressed his deep joy and emotion regarding the selection, stating, “I am deeply happy and moved by this selection. This moment is the culmination of years of hard work, years during which I carried this film on my own, despite the doubts, the obstacles and the weight of such a responsibility. To see this project come to fruition today and find its place on such a stage is an immense personal and collective victory.” He further emphasized that beyond the artistic journey, the true significance of this selection lies in giving a voice to those who were silenced. Sabouni vowed that the stories of the men and women who perished in the prisons of the Assad regime would never be forgotten, ensuring their memory, suffering, and dignity would be forever etched in global consciousness. He concluded by dedicating the selection to them.

Following its successful Berlinale premiere, “The Other Side of the Sun” has continued its international journey, screening at several other festivals and earning accolades, including prizes at the Amman International Film Festival in Jordan. The documentary was produced by a collaboration of French entities: Dérives, Habilis Productions, and Clin d’Oeil Films.

Looking ahead to the Academy Awards process, the shortlist for the 2027 Oscar nominations is slated to be announced by AMPAS on December 15, 2026, with the final nominees revealed on January 21, 2027. The prestigious 99th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on March 14, 2027, in Los Angeles.