Tuesday marked the announcement of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' shortlists for the 94th Oscar celebrations.
Jonas Poher Rasmussen's 'Flee' is included on two lists: International Feature Film and Documentary Feature.
Also selected for the Documentary Feature shortlist is Camilla Nielsson's 'President'.
Both films are produced by Final Cut for Real with support from the Danish Film Institute.
In addition, the two Danish short films 'Stenofonen' by Nicolaj Kopernikus and 'On My Mind' by Martin Strange-Hansen made it to the Live Action Short Film shortlist. M&M Productions has produced.
Among the 15 films on the Academy's International Feature Film shortlist is Norway's 'The Worst Person in the World' by Joachim Trier, co-produced by Denmark's Snowglobe led by Katrin Pors, Mikkel Jersin and Eva Jakobsen.
The nominated films are to be announced on 8 February, and the 94th Oscars will take place on 27 March.
'Flee' with two shortlistings
Jonas Poher Rasmussen's film offers an intimate account of how Amin, the director's close friend, arrived in Denmark as a young refugee from Afghanistan 25 years ago. The film is told mostly through animation, with sections of real life footage woven into the narrative.
'Flee' was among the Official Selection titles at the Cannes Festival's digital edition in 2020. The film opened at Sundance to warm reviews, winning the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize. Since then, 'Flee' has received several prominent awards, including for best feature film at Annecy.
Other festival heavyweights include Telluride, Toronto, New York and Chicago, as well as awards at prominent US ceremonies such as the Gotham Awards and the Critics Choice Documentary Awards.
'Flee' won two prizes at the European Film Awards for best documentary and best animation, respectively. The film was warmly received at its US release on 3 December through Neon. Monica Hellström, Signe Byrge Sørensen and Charlotte de la Gournerie have produced for Final Cut for Real.
'President' on documentary list
With 'President', Camilla Nielsson follows up on her award-winning documentary 'Democrats' from 2014.
Once more, the director turns her camera to Zimbabwe, depicting the high-stakes presidential election in 2018 as well as the Zimbabweans' tireless struggle for a democratic society.
'President' won an award for cinematic craftsmanship at its world premiere at Sundance. The film has since traveled to a number of important film festivals around the world and was warmly received at its American cinema premiere on 16 December.
Signe Byrge Sørensen has produced for Final Cut for Real.
Danish films and the Oscars
Four Danish films have won an Oscar in the International Feature Film category:
Thomas Vinterberg's 'Another Round' in 2021, Susanne Bier's 'In a Better World' in 2011, Bille August's 'Pelle the Conqueror' in 1989, and Gabriel Axel's 'Babette's Feast' in 1988.
Below is an overview of Danish Oscar entries since Susanne Bier's winning film. Sorted by awards ceremony year:
2021 Another Round / Thomas Vinterberg / Oscar winner
2020 Queen of Hearts / May el-Toukhy
2019 The Guilty / Gustav Möller / Oscar shortlist
2018 You Disappear / Peter Schønau Fog
2017 Land of Mine / Martin Zandvliet / Oscar nomination
2016 A War / Tobias Lindholm / Oscar nomination
2015 Sorrow and Joy / Nils Malmros
2014 The Hunt / Thomas Vinterberg / Oscar nomination
2013 A Royal Affair / Nikolaj Arcel / Oscar nomination
2012 Superclásico / Ole Christian Madsen / Oscar shortlist
2011 In a Better World / Susanne Bier / Oscar winner
See full list of nominations and awards for Danish films on our Oscar page.
