Colombia Picks Cannes Un Certain Regard Jury Winner "A Poet" for Oscars Race

Colombia on Tuesday selected Simón Mesa Soto’s "A Poet" as its submission for the 2026 Oscar Best International Feature Film race.

The pic world premiered at Cannes Film Festival this year where it won the jury prize in the festival’s Un Certain Regard lineup, and just played at Toronto. It is the sophomore feature for Soto.

First-time actor Ubeimar Rio stars as Oscar, a failed writer who is unemployed, living with family, and who wanders the streets of Medellín in a drunken stupor, lamenting the state of literature in his home country. He gets the opportunity to mentor a young student and sees it as a chance at redemption.

The film also stars Rebeca Andrade, Guillermo Cardona, Humberto Restrepo, Alisson Correa, and Margarita Soto.

“Since its release in Colombian theaters, A Poet has been beautifully received by audiences,” Soto said. “Many Colombians have seen it and have connected with our poet. That’s what has excited us the most. Now, knowing that we will represent Colombia on the road to the Oscars is a huge honor and the beginning of a journey that we hope will open a new chapter for Colombian cinema.”

1-2 Special acquired U.S. rights to "A Poet" after Cannes and plans a theatrical release.

Colombia made it to the Oscar nomination round just once, in 2015 for Ciro Guerra’s "Embrace of the Serpent". Cristina Gallego and Guerra’s "Birds of Passage" made the shortlist in 2018.

This year’s Oscar submission deadline is October 1, with the shortlist whittling the number of film to 15 to be revealed December 16. Nominations for the 98th Oscars will be announced January 22, 2026.