Turkey's Oscar contender is revealed: Cut Like a Tree has been selected
The film that Turkey will send for the 2027 Oscars has been announced. The 15-member Turkey Oscar Selection Committee, composed of representatives from cinema professional organizations, evaluated 17 submissions and selected Cut Like a Tree by a majority vote.
This film, which is the second feature by Tunç Davut, will be sent to the Academy as Turkey's official submission in the Best International Feature Film category.
It needs to pass two stages for Oscar nomination
The selection of Cut Like a Tree does not mean the film is nominated for an Oscar. The works reported by countries will first be evaluated by Academy members; the 15 films with the most votes will make the shortlist. Then, five films from this selection will advance to Oscar nomination.
International film submissions for the 99th Academy Awards will close on September 30. The shortlist will be announced on December 15, 2026, and the nominees will be revealed on January 21, 2027. The award ceremony will take place on March 14, 2027, in Los Angeles.
Therefore, the correct expression to use for the film at this stage is “Turkey's Oscar candidate” or “Turkey's official Oscar submission”.
A loss, two children, and an upcoming holiday
The film, co-written by Tunç Davut and Sinem Altındağ, tells the story of Refik, a retired engineer who learns he has a terminal illness.
Refik gives money to his Syrian caregiver so she can take his two sons to Greece. As the Feast of Sacrifice approaches, Refik, who is preparing to reveal his illness to his family, sees his life change when the woman disappears, leaving her children behind. The search that begins in Izmir transforms into an escalating reckoning related to family ties, migration, and conscience.
The lead roles are played by Ali İpin, Feyyaz Duman, and Selen Kurtaran. The cast also includes Dilan Düzgüner, Ceren Taşçı, Ahmed Esmer, Baran Can Eraslan, Nasreddin Meshed, and Ahmet el-Ali.
Tunç Davut on the Oscar path with his second film
Cut Like a Tree is Tunç Davut's second feature film, following his 2015 work, Dolanma. The director's first film premiered in the main competition of the Sarajevo Film Festival and later returned with awards for Best First Film and Best Director from various festivals.
Cut Like a Tree, which premiered in Turkey on June 12, 2026, will now prepare for an international award campaign following its local festival and screening process.
The first major threshold ahead for the film is the 15-film shortlist to be announced in December. If Cut Like a Tree passes this stage, Turkey will be one step closer to a nomination in the Best International Feature Film category.
