Italy crowns Paolo Strippoli’s The Spiral for Oscars’ film, sparks buzz

Italy has announced Paolo Strippoli’s drama *The Spiral* (*L’Estranea*) as its official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards. The decision was made by a committee of industry veterans under the Italian cinema guild Anica.

The film, which opened in Competition at this year’s Venice Film Festival, follows Jasmine Trinca as she storms into her daughter’s apartment during a storm to confess a lie that threatens to unravel the family’s foundation.

The cast also includes Romana Maggiora Vergano, Adriano Giannini and Valeria Bruni Tedeschi. Strippoli is a young director whose previous work—*The Holy Boy* (2025), *Flowing* (2022) and *A Classic Horror Story* (2021)—has earned acclaim at film festivals. *The Spiral* is the fourth feature in his growing filmography.

## Background & Context

*The Spiral* was produced by Marina Marzotto and Mattia Oddone of Rome‑based Propaganda in partnership with Rai Cinema.

French co‑producer Kazak Productions, Belgian company Tarantula and Italian Dinamo Film from Bari helped finance the project, reflecting a broader European collaboration that has become increasingly common in contemporary European cinema. 01 Distribution will release the film in Italy on October 18, while Le Pacte will handle international sales, ensuring the drama reaches audiences from Cannes to Toronto.

Italy’s shortlist for the Oscar included 21 contenders, among them two Venice 2026 Competition titles: Nanni Moretti’s *It Will Happen Tonight* and Marco Bechis’ *Back To Buenos Aires*. The Orizzonti award winner, *The House of the Monkey*, also made the cut after winning Best Screenplay and Best Actor for Riccardo Scamarcio.

Yet it was Strippoli’s fresh narrative voice that tipped the scales.

The selection committee—composed of Giorgio Carlo Brugnoni, Cristina Comencini, Federica Lucisano,

Francesco Melzi D’Eril and Nick Vivarelli—voted that *The Spiral* stood out as a “new genre film, by a young director who has recently begun his career and has been appreciated by audiences and national and international critics.” The panel highlighted the film’s fresh perspective and critical reception, noting how its emotional intensity resonates with contemporary Italian society’s grappling with identity, family dynamics and the weight of personal secrets.

## The Director’s Rise

Paolo Strippoli first made waves with *A Classic Horror Story* (2021), a low‑budget thriller that showcased his knack for psychological tension and tight storytelling.

He followed that success with *Flowing* (2022), a contemplative slice‑of‑life about the everyday struggles of a small-town baker, which earned him the Special Jury Prize at the Venice International Film Festival. *The Holy Boy* (2025) further cemented his reputation, blending lyrical cinematography with a poignant narrative about adolescence and faith, and garnered the Golden Lion for Best Screenplay at the same festival.

Across these works, Strippoli has cultivated a signature style that blends intimate character studies with broader social commentary. His films have been praised for their restrained yet powerful performances and for a visual language that balances realism with subtle stylization.

As a young filmmaker who emerged from the Italian film school scene in the early 2010s, Strippoli’s ascent mirrors the new wave of Italian directors eager to redefine national cinema on the global stage.

## Fan Reaction & Industry Impact

The premiere of *The Spiral* at Venice sparked enthusiastic discussion among audiences and critics alike. Viewers praised Trinca’s riveting performance, noting her ability to convey vulnerability and fierce determination within a single scene.

Social media threads highlighted how the film’s storm‑set confession scene became a shared cultural moment, with fans posting clips and analyses that trended for several days.

Industry insiders see *The Spiral* as part of Italy’s broader strategy to regain visibility in the Best International Feature Film category. After winning in 2014 with Paolo Sorrentino’s *The Great Beauty*, Italy had not secured a nomination for nearly a decade.

The film’s selection signals a renewed confidence in Italy’s contemporary cinematic output and encourages domestic producers to invest in projects with both artistic merit and potential international appeal.

## What Happens Next

*The Spiral* will hit Italian screens on October 18, setting the stage for its Oscar campaign. Internationally, Le Pacte will coordinate sales and festival circulation ahead of the Academy’s review period, positioning the film for maximum visibility.

The film will be evaluated alongside dozens of global submissions for potential nomination.

If nominated, *The Spiral* could follow in the footsteps of Italy’s past successes and bring a fresh narrative voice to Hollywood’s most celebrated international awards.

Its thematic focus on family, truth and societal expectations may resonate with Academy voters, who increasingly favor films that offer universal stories grounded in specific cultural contexts.

In sum, Italy’s choice reflects a deliberate push to highlight emerging talent and stories that echo contemporary Italian life while speaking to a global audience.

Whether *The Spiral* breaks the current streak of non‑nominations remains to be seen, but its journey to the Oscars promises to invigorate discussions about the future of Italian cinema on the world stage.