The Vatican is preparing to submit a film for Oscar consideration for the first time in the 97-year history of the Academy Awards, Variety has exclusively reported.
'Green Lava' (2025), a documentary short produced by the Vatican, follows Giacomo Mattivi, a young Italian man living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), as he copes with the death of his brother, Mattia, who also had the condition.
Directed by Lia Beltrami and Ali Aksu, the film would potentially be considered in the Best Documentary Short Film category, but would not formally represent the Vatican in the competition. Unlike the international feature film category, documentary shorts do not require an official submission or endorsement from a government or national committee.
Indeed, the Academy Awards have long stood as the ultimate symbol of cinematic achievement. For filmmakers, actors, and artists across the globe, earning a nomination or taking home the golden statuette is the highest recognition of their craft. But behind the glitz, glamour, and anticipation of Oscar night lies an intricate, methodical process designed to ensure the awards maintain their reputation for credibility and prestige.
The journey to Oscar glory is fraught with strict requirements and a truly intense competition, all of which is overseen by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).
So, how exactly do nominees and winners get chosen? And who are the minds and independent auditors overseeing the process? Click through to find out.