Fernanda Torres celebrates Oscar pre-nomination for I’m Still Here: ‘Every step is a miracle’

The film I’m Still Heredirected by Walter Sallesachieved a historic achievement by being included in the shortlist of Best International Film at the 2025 Oscars. The announcement was made this Tuesday (17) by Hollywood Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciencesmarking the first time in 15 years that a Brazilian production has reached this stage. The five finalists in the category will be revealed on January 17th, and the ceremony will take place on March 2nd, at the Dolby Theater, in Los Angeles.

Fernanda Torreswho plays Eunice Paiva, the protagonist of the film, celebrated the achievement in an official statement released to the press (via The Globe):

That’s a long ladder to climb. Each step we overcome is a miracle that cannot be repeated. I feel immense relief, as this is a very difficult year, with very good films, and I already consider it an endless joy to see the film included in this shortlist.

Selton Mellowho plays Rubens Paiva in the film, also expressed his emotion in a post on social media:

We’re on the Oscar shortlist […] Living with a man who was murdered was painful, there was a lot on my mind and inside. My partner, Nanda, makes everything easier. What we do is beautiful.

Based on the memoir by Marcelo Rubens Paivathe film narrates the life of Eunice Paiva, who raised her five children while fighting for human rights after the disappearance and murder of her husband, Rubens Paiva, during the military dictatorship. Directed by Walter Salles, I’m Still Here It became the highest-grossing post-pandemic Brazilian film and the only national title among the 10 highest-grossing films of the year, occupying fifth position.

In addition to the Oscar shortlist, the film has already accumulated important nominations at international awards. I’m Still Here dispute the Golden Globes 2025 in the category of Best Film in a Non-English Language, with Fernanda Torres nominated for Best Actress in a Drama Film. The work also competes in the Critics Choice Awards and in Satellite Awardsboth in the Best International Film categories.

The last time Brazil reached the shortlist for Best International Film at the Oscars was in 2008, with The Year My Parents Went on Vacation. The last nomination in the category took place in 1999, with Central Brazilalso directed by Walter Salles. Other Brazilian productions nominated for an Oscar include The Promise Payer (1963), The Quadril (1996) and What’s That, Mate? (1997).

Shortlist for Best International Film at the 2025 Oscars

1. I’m Still Here (Brazil)
2. Universal Language (Canada)
3. Waves (Czech Republic)
4. The Needle Girl (Denmark)
5. Emilia Pérez (France)
6. The Seed of the Sacred Fruit (Germany)
7. Touch (Iceland)
8. Kneecap: Music and Freedom (Ireland)
9. Vermiglio (Italy)
10. Flow (Latvia)
11. Armand (Norway)
12. From Ground Zero (Palestine)
13. Dahomey (Senegal)
14. How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies (Thailand)
15. Santosh (United Kingdom)