Johannesburg, South Africa, 29 September 2025: The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and the official body mandated to submit South African films to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, is proud to announce that the feature film, The Heart Is A Muscle has been selected as South Africa's official entry into the 98th Annual Academy Awards (Oscars) for the category, Best International Feature Film.
The selection follows a rigorous adjudication process conducted by the South African Academy Awards Selection Committee, a diverse panel of 13 professionals drawn from across the filmmaking value chain, including directing, producing, distribution, academic and technical expertise.
The committee convened from 8 to 11 September 2025 at Nu Metro Cinemas to review submissions. The final decision was officially made on 15 September 2025. The entire process was overseen and audited by the NFVF's appointed and reputable auditing firm, SNG Grant Thornton, ensuring the highest standards of integrity and fairness.
Written and directed by Imran Hamdulay, The Heart Is A Muscle was produced by The Star Film Company's Adam Thal, P.G.A, Khosie Dali, Brett Michael Innes and Lesley-Ann Brandt
The film explores bonds between fathers and sons through the lens of inter-generational healing and forgiveness and draws on experiences specific to the South Africa's Cape Flats neighbourhood yet speaks to the universal search for reconciliation and belonging. It traces a man struggling to confront inherited memories and through the slow work of forgiveness, learning how to become the father and husband he longs to be.
Imran Hamdulay, the director and writer of the film, says, The film is very close to my heart. It's a shared story born from the voices and experiences of the community around it and we're just so thrilled to have it as South Africa's entry into the Academy Awards.
The film premiered to critical praise at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), where it received the Panorama Ecumenical Jury Prize, quickly establishing itself as one of the year's standout global-cinema titles. It continues to be shown at festivals worldwide, including the 72nd Sydney Film Festival and the up-coming Cairo International Film Festival, among others.
NFVF Acting CEO, Ms Onke Dumeko expressed pride in the achievement: The selection of The Heart Is A Muscle not only represents the incredible storytelling and creative excellence of South African filmmakers, but also highlights our nation's ability to produce cinema that resonates globally. Despite the heart-felt story's resonance across racial groups and geographic borders, it is depicted in a specific South African cultural setting that is not often represented which enables a great opportunity for our industry. The performances are fantastic and the film reminds one about the power of cinema to move the hearts and minds of audiences. The film's selection by the committee and submission through this process underscores the NFVF's ongoing commitment to nurturing and promoting South African talent internationally.
The NFVF congratulates the filmmakers, cast, and crew of The Heart Is A Muscle on this milestone achievement and looks forward to seeing South Africa represented at the Oscars in 2026.
ENDS.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Lerato Mokopanele
Marketing and Communications Manager
Email: Leratom@nfvf.co.za
Web: www.nfvf.co.za
About the NFVF: The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is a statutory body mandated to promote and develop the South African film and video industry. It provides funding for film projects, facilitates training and skills development, and promotes South African content locally and internationally. The NFVF aims to create a sustainable and globally competitive industry that reflects the diverse stories and voices of South Africa.
Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/nfvfsa/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nfvfsa/
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/nfvfsa
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nfvfsa_
Threads: https://threads.com/nfvfsa
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-film-and-video-foundation-south-africa
Website: www.nfvf.co.za
Africa Stories
02/10/2025
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce the opening...
30/09/2025
Johannesburg, South Africa, 29 September 2025: The National Film and Video Found...
26/09/2025
The National Film and Video Foundation, an agency of the Department of Sport, Ar...
26/09/2025
https://www.nfvf.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/fully-Inclusive-nfvf-invitatio...
29/08/2025
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
27/08/2025
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
25/08/2025
Theme: One Story. One Industry. One Future. - Celebrating South Africa's Screen Legacy, Together
Johannesburg - The National Film and Video Foundation (N...
04/08/2025
S o Paulo Film and Audiovisual Company (Spcine) and the National Film and Video ...
15/07/2025
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
28/06/2025
Johannesburg, 27 June 2025 - As the nation commemorates Youth Month
2025, the N...
24/06/2025
Panels of the National Film and Video Foundation in Accordance with the NFVF Act...
13/06/2025
Johannesburg, 12 June 2025 - The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an a...
11/06/2025
Johannesburg, South Africa - 10 June 2025 - The National Film and Video Foundati...
10/06/2025
Johannesburg, South Africa - 10 June 2025 - The National Film and Video Foundati...
06/06/2025
S o Paulo Film and Audiovisual Company (Spcine) and the National Film and Video ...
05/06/2025
Johannesburg, South Africa 4 June 2025 - The National Film and Video Foundatio...
29/05/2025
Rest in Power, a True Legend of Our Screens
Johannesburg, South Africa 27 May...
29/05/2025
Johannesburg, South Africa 28 May 2025 - The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Vincent Blennies, has resigned from...
22/05/2025
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
13/05/2025
The NFVF, an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture that was create...
10/05/2025
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
09/05/2025
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
09/04/2025
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the ca...
08/04/2025
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Vincent Blennies as Chief Exec...
04/04/2025
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) invites final-year animation students to submit character designs inspired by lead characters from any South Afric...
14/03/2025
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the ca...
01/03/2025
Antis pticos Orales: Revisi n De La Literatura Y Perspectiva Actual Influenza son contradictorios, dadas las elevadas tasas de curaci n espont nea. De ser neces...
28/02/2025
The Future of Green Energy: Challenges and Prospects Green energy, also known as renewable energy, has emerged as a critical solution to global energy challenge...
27/02/2025
Beginner Coding in Python: Building the Simplest AI Chat Companion Possible
AI-powered Personal VoiceBot for Language Learning by Gamze Zorlubas
You can ear...
24/12/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is calling for applications from South African film and television filmmakers to be part of the NFVF's delegat...
06/12/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the cl...
30/11/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the ca...
16/11/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation, an agency of the Department of Sport, Ar...
16/11/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) invites emerging female producers ...
16/11/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) invites current masters students t...
30/10/2024
Johannesburg, 26 October 2024 - The 18th Annual South African Film and Televisio...
30/10/2024
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND DOCUMENTARY
!Aitsa
Practitioner: Simon Kohler
Production House: MED CINE
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING DOCUMENTARY
Rise: The Si...
24/10/2024
In accordance with Section 6 (2) (c) of the National Film and Video Foundation A...
19/10/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) invites postgraduate students to s...
15/10/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (herein referred to as NFVF) is a statutory body set up by the government to grow and develop the South African Film and ...
11/10/2024
10 October 2024 Johannesburg, South Africa - The National Film and Video Found...
09/10/2024
Sportel stand number: Ravel Hall G06/07 After a summer filled with intense sport emotions in Paris, France and beyond, Globecast will be happy to welcome you...
04/10/2024
SAFTAs 18 Announces Date and Theme: Honouring Excellence in South African Film and Television with the theme Back to Basics . Johannesburg, South Africa Wedn...
04/10/2024
Johannesburg, South Africa Wednesday, 2 October 2024 The South African Film ...
01/10/2024
Johannesburg, South Africa - Monday, 30 September 2024 - The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (...
24/09/2024
Every little girl out there who has felt different because they are not what soc...
09/09/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (herein referred to as NFVF) is a statutory body set up by the government to grow and develop the South African Film and ...
06/09/2024
Johannesburg, 05 September 2024 - The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF),...
09/08/2024
Johannesburg, 8 August 2024 - It is with profound sadness that the National Film...
Johannesburg, South Africa, 29 September 2025: The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and the official body mandated to submit South African films to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, is proud to announce that the feature film, The Heart Is A Muscle has been selected as South Africa's official entry into the 98th Annual Academy Awards (Oscars) for the category, Best International Feature Film.
