Austria has chosen the black-and-white period drama ‘Rose’ as its official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards. The film, starring Sandra Hüller, will represent the country in the 2027 Oscar race. The selection was made by an independent jury of Austrian film industry representatives.
The Markus Schleinzer-directed movie beat out two other Austrian films – Marie Kreutzer’s ‘Gentle Monster’ and Adrian Goiginger’s ‘Vier minus Drei’ – to earn the nomination spot.
What ‘Rose’ Is About
Set in 17th-century rural Germany, ‘Rose’ tells the story of a woman who disguises herself as a male farmer to live a life that society would not allow women at that time. The main character, played by Sandra Hüller, arrives in a remote Protestant village claiming to be the heir of an abandoned farmstead.
The character Rose presents documents to support her claim. The suspicious villagers slowly accept her as she proves to be hard-working and God-fearing. But Rose lives with the constant fear of being discovered. The story shows how far she is willing to go to secure a future, even considering an arranged marriage with a local farmer’s daughter.
The film’s fictional main character was based on hundreds of real cases from that time period where women disguised themselves as men. The movie runs for 94 minutes and is a joint production between Austria and Germany.
Sandra Hüller’s Oscar History
Sandra Hüller is no stranger to the Academy Awards. She received a Best Actress nomination for ‘Anatomy of a Fall’ in 2024. That same year, she appeared in Jonathan Glazer’s ‘The Zone of Interest’, which won the Oscar for Best International Feature.
Her international breakthrough came with Maren Ade’s ‘Toni Erdmann’ in 2016, which also received an Oscar nomination for Best International Feature. Hüller has become one of the most recognised German actresses working in Hollywood today.
More recently, she starred alongside Ryan Gosling in the box office hit ‘Project Hail Mary’. She also headlines Pawel Pawlikowski’s ‘Fatherland’, which premiered at Cannes and is considered a strong awards contender.
Film’s Festival Success
‘Rose’ had its world premiere at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival on February 15, 2026. The movie played in the main competition section.
Sandra Hüller won the Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance for her role in the film. This marked another major festival win for the actress.
Critics have praised the film highly. Deadline’s critic Damon Wise called it “a remarkable piece of work” that cements Hüller’s reputation as a striking talent. The Austrian jury described the movie as “a work cast from a single mould” with “poetic black-and-white images that unfold a captivating effect and enormous visual power”.
Release and Distribution Details
Mubi is releasing ‘Rose’ in North America and several international territories. These include the United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Turkey, and Latin America.
The film had its theatrical release in Austria on April 17, 2026, and in Germany on April 30, 2026.
The Match Factory is handling worldwide sales for the film. The company has already sold the movie to many overseas markets. Mubi has not yet announced a release date for North American audiences.
Director Markus Schleinzer
Markus Schleinzer directed ‘Rose’ and co-wrote the screenplay with Alexander Brom. This is his third feature film.
His debut film ‘Michael’ (2011) premiered in competition at the Cannes Film Festival. His second film ‘Angelo’ (2018) played in competition at San Sebastian and Toronto.
Before becoming a director, Schleinzer spent nearly 20 years as a casting director in Europe. He worked with filmmakers including Jessica Hausner, Ulrich Seidl, and Michael Haneke. For Haneke’s Golden Globe winner ‘The White Ribbon’, he was responsible for casting the child actors and directing their performances on set.
The film is produced by Johannes Schubert, Philipp Worm, Tobias Walker, and Karsten Stöter. Production companies include Schubert, ROW Pictures, and Walker + Worm Film.
Related:
Oscar Timeline
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will announce the 15 films shortlisted for Best International Feature on December 15, 2026.
The five nominees will be announced on January 21, 2027.
The 99th Academy Awards ceremony will take place on March 14, 2027, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
‘Rose’ will compete against submissions from other countries for a spot on the shortlist and eventual nomination.
Also Read: Mark Rydell, Oscar-Nominated Director of ‘On Golden Pond,’ Dies at 97
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