Ukrainian language film Sanatorium to represent Ireland for International Feature Film Oscar

The Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) have chosen Sanatorium to represent Ireland in the International Feature Film category at the 2026 Oscars.

The category is exclusively for non-English language films and each country is able to enter one film.

While Ireland typically selects features in the Irish language, this year, they opted for a Ukrainian language film.

Sanatorium, made by Irish filmmakers, is set in Odesa, Southern Ukraine at the Soviet era Kuyalnik Sanatorium. The health facility hosts an ever-dwindling number of guests on the search for rejuvenating treatments.

"What an intriguing and quietly powerful film, with its vibrant and visually stunning scenery and colourful cast of real-life characters who find escapism within the confines of an unconventional wellness centre in Ukraine," said IFTA Chief Executive Áine Moriarty.

"It is so inspiring to see an Irish Director and creative team collaborate with Ukrainian colleagues to capture these moments in time, which will no doubt resonate with audiences worldwide.”

Galway-born writer and director of the film Gar O’Rourke said that the feature "set out to show the power of healing, the resilience of community, and above all the strength of the Ukrainian spirit in the face of such traumatic times."

Recent Irish entries for the International Feature Film category include An Cailín Ciúin, which was nominated for the award in 2023 and Kneecap which was shortlisted in 2025.

Additionally, Sanatorium won't be the first non-Irish language film the country has submitted. Viva, in Spanish, was shortlisted for the award in 2006, In The Shadow of Beirut (Arabic) was submitted in 2024, Gaza (Arabic) in 2019 and As If I Am Not There (Serbo Croatian) in 2011.

Watch the trailer for Sanatorium, IFTA's pick for the International Feature Film category at the 2026 Oscars, below.