17 Latin American countries have selected their films to compete for a nomination for Best International Feature Film at the 99th Academy Awards.

From stories exploring identity, memory, and social conflict to horror, comedy, and fantasy, this year’s selections reflect the diversity of voices and storytelling across Latin American cinema.

Among the contenders is Rains Over Babel, the Colombian film we had the pleasure of presenting as our Closing Night selection at the 2026 Charlotte Latino Film Festival!

Here are the 17 films representing Latin America in the race for the 2027 Oscars.

Meet the Latin American Contenders

Argentina | The Virgin of the Quarry Lake (La virgen de la tosquera)
Dir. Laura Casabé
Against the backdrop of Argentina’s 2001 economic crisis, a teenage girl turns to supernatural forces to confront jealousy and the frustrations of first love.

Bolivia | The Condor Daughter (La hija cóndor)
Dir. Álvaro Olmos Torrico
A young midwife from an Andean community struggles between preserving her people’s traditions and pursuing her own dreams.

Brazil | Feito Pipa (Gugu’s World)
Dir. Allan Deberton
A young boy faces the fear of losing his grandmother as her health begins to deteriorate due to Alzheimer’s disease.

Chile | The Meltdown (El deshielo)
Dir. Manuela Martelli
During a mountain vacation, a young girl befriends a mysterious skier whose disappearance transforms her experience.

Colombia | Rains Over Babel (Llueve sobre Babel)
Dir. Gala del Sol
In a bar that serves as purgatory, the living and the dead cross paths in a fantastical, contemporary reimagining of Dante’s Divine Comedy.

A special film for Cine Casual! Rains Over Babel was our Closing Night film at the third edition of the Charlotte Latino Film Festival in April 2026.

Costa Rica | If We Don’t Burn, How Do We Light Up the Night (Si no ardemos, cómo iluminar la noche)
Dir. Kim Torres
A 13-year-old girl moves to a rural community, where an unsettling local legend intertwines with her experiences of growing up and self-discovery.

Cuba | Malecón
Dir. Carlos Larrazabal
After spending ten years in prison, a man returns to his Havana neighborhood and must confront the memories and consequences of his past.

Ecuador | The Ivy (Hiedra)
Dir. Ana Cristina Barragán
A woman forms an unexpected connection with a teenager living in a group home, leading to an exploration of loneliness and human relationships.

El Salvador | Vértices
Dir. Arturo López Rodas
The reunion of three old friends becomes an intimate reflection on memory, grief, friendship, and the passage of time.

Guatemala | Cordillera de fuego
Dir. Jayro Bustamante
A volcanologist discovers a new volcano on Indigenous land and confronts the political and economic interests threatening local communities.

Mexico | On the Road (En el camino)
Dir. David Pablos
A young nomad and a lonely truck driver develop an unexpected connection during a journey shaped by their search for affection and belonging.

Panama | Chichero
Dir. Aarón Bromley and Arturo Montenegro
During the 1980s, a young Quechua man is forced to leave his community in the Peruvian Andes due to armed conflict.

Paraguay | Narciso
Dir. Marcelo Martinessi
In late-1950s Paraguay, a charismatic radio host becomes a symbol of freedom under Alfredo Stroessner’s dictatorship.

Peru | Vino la noche (Night Has Come)
Dir. Paolo Tizón
This documentary follows a group of young men undergoing demanding military training, exploring their aspirations, fears, and experiences.

Dominican Republic | Melodrama
Dir. Andrés Farías
A Dominican widow begins a relationship with a Haitian construction worker, challenging the prejudices and social tensions surrounding them.

Uruguay | A Loose End (Un cabo suelto)
Dir. Daniel Hendler
An Argentine police officer flees to Uruguay in search of a new life in this comedy blending humor, suspense, and unexpected situations.

Venezuela | Death Has Not Master (La muerte no tiene dueño)
Dir. Jorge Thielen Armand
A woman returns to Venezuela to sell her family’s plantation, only to discover that former workers have occupied the property and refuse to leave.

What’s Next in the Oscar Race?

Although these films have been selected by their respective countries, they still have several stages to go before securing an official nomination.

Here are the key dates to watch:

• December 15, 2026: Oscar shortlist announcement

• January 21, 2027: Official Oscar nominations announced

• March 14, 2027: 99th Academy Awards ceremony

At Cine Casual, we’ll be following these films’ journeys and celebrating the stories that continue to bring Latin American cinema to international audiences.

Which of these films are you most excited to discover?