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Thailand Selects Sompot Chidgasornpongse’s 9 Temples to Heaven as Its Oscar Entry

Cannes recognition, recent festival awards and international sales have raised the film’s profile as it moves toward the Academy’s shortlist and wider release.

Overview

  • Thailand’s National Federation of Motion Pictures and Contents Associations chose 9 Temples to Heaven from a pool of 51 eligible films after a specialist committee shortlisted eight titles.
  • The film, directed by Sompot Chidgasornpongse, premiered in Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes and has since won awards on the festival circuit, including best director at Shanghai and a jury prize in New Zealand.
  • Playtime handles international sales for the multi‑country co‑production, which lists producing partners across Asia and Europe and is being positioned for awards exposure.
  • The film follows a Thai family on a one‑day pilgrimage to nine temples and will open in Thailand on Sept. 17 with a planned North American premiere at the New York Film Festival.
  • Thailand has submitted entries to the Academy since 1984 without securing a final nomination, so the next milestones to watch are the Academy’s 15‑film international‑feature shortlist and the five nominees ahead of the March 14, 2027 ceremony.