Australia Picks "Wolves Always Come at Night" for Oscar Race

Australia has chosen Gabrielle Brady‘s climate-focused drama “The Wolves Always Come at Night” as its candidate for the best International Feature Film category at the 2026 Oscars.

The Mongolian-language film, which combines documentary filmmaking techniques with narrative storytelling, centers on herders forced from their land by increasingly destructive weather patterns. 

Real-life herders Davaasuren Dagvasuren and Otgonzaya Dashzeveg star in the film while also serving as co-writers alongside Brady.

Australian selection committee members unanimously backed the choice, with a spokesperson noting: “The Australian selection committee are unanimous in their recommendation and extremely pleased to put forward ‘The Wolves Always Come at Night’ as Australia’s official submission to the Academy Awards. A striking and original portrait of a family deeply affected by climate change and its devastating effects on their traditional way of life, cultural values and homeland. A significant and brilliantly crafted feature film that everyone in the committee regarded as requisite cinema viewing.”

Brady’s sophomore feature following “Island of the Hungry Ghosts” has built considerable momentum on the festival circuit since its Toronto Film Festival debut in the Platform Competition. The film subsequently screened at several international festivals, including London, Zurich, IDFA, San Francisco International, True/False, and Sydney.

The filmmaker said: “My hope is that our film brings audiences closely into the lives of Davaa and Zaya, who face the sudden upheaval of climate displacement, but who also find ways to resist in the face of irreversible change. As our world confronts the growing reality of climate migration, sharing this story on a global stage fills me and our whole team with immense hope and pride.” 

The film’s subjects added: “We are very proud that the film has been selected in this way. We hope this will lead to more people to understand the great changes happening in our pastures and landscapes now – with global warming deeply affecting us, and so many others around the world.”

The production represents an unusual three-way international collaboration between Germany, Australia, and Mongolia – reportedly the first of its kind. Rita Walsh (“The Assistant,” “Buoyancy”) produced alongside Chromosom Film’s Julia Niethammer and Guru Media’s Ariunaa Tserenpil.

Screen Australia provided the primary production funding, supplemented by private investment from WeirAnderson Films and Storming Donkey Productions. Additional support came from broadcasters BBC Storyville and SWR Arte, plus distributor Madman Films. Cinephil is handling international sales.

The producing team said, “Our beautiful international collaboration was a deeply important and enriching experience for all of us. Now, being selected by the Australian committee is a hugely special moment for our film team from Australia, but also for all of our team in Mongolia, Germany, Colombia, the U.K., and the U.S. It is such an honor to compete alongside so many other outstanding films.”

The selection continues Australia’s nearly three-decade participation in the international feature category, dating back to 1996. Previous Australian submissions have included indigenous-language films “Ten Canoes” (2006), the shortlisted “Samson and Delilah” (2009), “The Rocket” (2013), and Oscar-nominated “Tanna” (2016).

Brady’s film will also compete in the documentary feature category.

The Oscar international feature shortlist will be announced on December 16, and the final five nominees will be announced on January 22.