The film ‘Sirât’, directed by Oliver Laxe and representing Spain at the 2026 Oscars, was nominated for two awards: Best International Feature Film and Best Sound. Unfortunately, it did not secure wins in either category. The international feature film award went to Norway's ‘Valor sentimental’, directed by Joachim Trier, while the Best Sound award was won by ‘F1: The Movie’, showcasing the intense competition faced by Laxe’s film.

This loss highlights a continuing trend for Spanish films at the Oscars, particularly in the international category, where success has been elusive for nearly two decades. The last Spanish film to win the Best International Feature award was Alejandro Amenábar's ‘Mar adentro’ in 2005. Since then, notable films like Pedro Almodóvar's ‘Dolor y gloria’ have been nominated but did not manage to clinch the prize, reflecting the challenges Spanish cinema faces on the global stage.

Despite the setback, the nominations themselves mark a significant achievement for ‘Sirât’ and for Laxe, indicating recognition of Spanish cinema internationally. The success of competing films also underscores the fierce competition and the raising standards within the global film industry, prompting ongoing discussions about how Spanish filmmakers can continue to break through and earn the accolades they aspire to.