Press Release: South Africa Announces Variasies op 'n Tema/Variations on a Theme as Official Selection for the 99th Annual Academy Awards

Johannesburg, South Africa, 30 September 2026 - The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (NFVF) and the official body responsible for submitting South African films to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, is proud to announce that the feature film Variations on a Theme has been selected as South Africa's official entry for the 99th Annual Academy Awards (Oscars) in the Best International Feature Film category.

The selection follows a rigorous adjudication process conducted by the South African Academy Awards Selection Committee, comprising 13 professionals drawn from across the filmmaking value chain, including directing, producing, distribution and technical expertise. The 13-member committee was also approved by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

The committee convened for film screenings held at cinemas in Cape Town and Johannesburg from 1 to 4 September 2026, with the final deliberations taking place on 9 September 2026. The NFVF's appointed independent auditing firm, SNG Grant Thornton, oversaw and audited the selection process, ensuring that it was conducted in accordance with the required standards of integrity and fairness.

Variations on a Theme is a 100% Afrikaans drama written and directed by Jason Jacobs and Devon Delmar, starring Hettie Farmer from Kharkams. The film was produced collaboratively by the filmmakers in association with Kraal Stories, Meria Productions and Interakt (Netherlands). Variations on a Theme is the second feature from Jacobs and Delmar. Their debut Carissa premiered in the Orizzonti competition of the 2024 Venice International Film Festival.

The film follows an elderly goat herder in the mountains of Namaqualand, South Africa, who falls victim to a scam promising long-overdue reparations for her father's service during the Second World War. Waiting for money that will never come, she faces her family's decision to move her to the city and strip away the last of her independence. Structured as a series of recurring visual variations , the film transforms repetition into revelation, presenting a portrait of waiting, endurance and loss.

The film's producer, Annemarie du Plessis, said:

Being selected to represent South Africa as the country's Oscar submission is an incredible honour. The fact that we get to share the beautiful community of Kharkams, who are truly the heartbeat of this film, with the world makes it even more special. We are so grateful to everyone who believed in this film and helped us get here. We hope that this moment can serve as an inspiration to other filmmakers and storytellers to keep going, to be bold, and to trust in the stories they want to tell.

The film had its world premiere in the Tiger Competition at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) 2026 in the Netherlands, where it won the Tiger Award. It went on to win Best African Film at the Joburg Film Festival and the Wild Dreamer Award for Best Film at Zagreb Subversive and received jury special mentions at the Tarifa-Tangier African Film Festival and Transilvania International Film Festival.

Most recently, the film received Best Feature Narrative at the BlackStar Film Festival in Philadelphia, a leading celebration of cinema by Black, Brown and Indigenous artists.

In October, Variasies op 'n Tema / Variations on a Theme will have two sold-out screenings at the BFI London Film Festival, following screenings earlier in the year at prestigious festivals and programmes including New Directors/New Films at MoMA and Film at Lincoln Center, the Melbourne International Film Festival and the Hong Kong International Film Festival.

The film is presented by the National Film and Video Foundation an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, with the support of the Hubert Bals Fund, Doha Film Institute, Institut fran ais, the Centre national du cin ma et de l'image anim e of Tunisia, and Carthage Pro's Takmil workshop.

NFVF Acting Head of Operations, Ms Lerato Mokopanele, expressed pride in the achievement:

The NFVF is pleased with the selection of Variations on a Theme , an Afrikaans film that is a product of a co-production between South Africa and the Netherlands, as it serves as a brilliant showcase of South African filmmakers' world-class skills. The cinematography, the historical storyline and the way in which it is told make for an interesting watch. We look forward to the film bringing home the esteemed Oscar trophy. The NFVF thanks the Selection Committee for its work during the selection process. This film is yet another footprint of the South African film sector internationally. The NFVF reaffirms its commitment to nurturing and promoting South African talent on the international stage.

The NFVF congratulates the filmmakers, cast and crew of Variations on a Theme on this significant milestone and wishes the film every success as it represents South Africa on the international stage.

The NFVF looks forward to seeing South Africa represented at the 99th Annual Academy Awards.

ENDS

For media requests, contact:

Lerato Mokopanele

Acting Head of Operations

National Film and Video Foundation

leratom@nfvf.co.za

011 483 0881

Annemarie du Plessis

Producer

annemarie@meria.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.

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