Iraq has chosen "No Paradise If You Are Killed by a Woman" as its official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2027 Academy Awards.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the selection was unanimous by Iraq's National Selection Committee for the Academy Awards, a body mandated by the country's state ministry of culture.
The film was directed by Halkawt Mustafa, who was born in Iraqi Kurdistan and fled to Norway as a child. It stars Avan Jamal as Vyan, a Kurdish sniper who has spent years suppressing her emotions to survive war. When she learns that her younger sister, who went missing during the ISIS assault of 2014, may still be alive, she returns to Mosul to find her. Norwegian actor Thorbjørn Harr also stars, alongside Kanar Sarchl and Kader Jalal.
Mustafa has said the film grew out of his own experience. He encountered a female Peshmerga sniper during the 2014 frontline battles, when female Kurdish fighters were actively countering Islamic State attacks. That encounter became the seed of the story.
The film was shot on location in Mosul and produced by Hene Films in co-production with La Media and The Chimney Pot. International sales are being handled by True Colours.
Mustafa has covered similar territory before. His previous work includes "The Women ISIS Fears," a 2015 documentary also focused on female Kurdish fighters, and "Hiding Saddam Hussein," a documentary about the farmer who sheltered the Iraqi dictator for 235 days in 2003. Iraq also submitted his film "The Classic" for Oscar consideration in 2016.
"No Paradise If You Are Killed by a Woman" is set to have its world premiere out of competition at the Venice Film Festival on Monday.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will announce the 15-film shortlist for Best International Feature on December 15. The five nominees will be revealed on January 21, 2027. The 99th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled for March 14, 2027.
