Zeki Demirkubuz’s ‘Hayat’ Selected as Türkiye’s Oscar Entry for Best International Feature Film

Hayat, directed by renowned auteur Zeki Demirkubuz, has been selected as Türkiye’s official entry for the “Best International Feature Film” category at the 2025 Academy Awards.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s General Directorate of Cinema made the announcement, stating,

“Zeki Demirkubuz’s Hayat has been chosen as Türkiye’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film Oscar. We extend our best wishes to the film, which has received support from our Ministry, as it embarks on its journey to the Oscars.”

The 15 finalists in this category will be announced by the Academy on December 17th, with the final five nominees revealed on January 17th, 2025.

The story of Hayat follows a young woman named Hicran who, refusing to accept the life imposed on her, runs away from home and moves to Istanbul. Her fiance, Rıza, unable to accept this, pursues her. Their paths cross in unexpected ways. The film stars Miray Daner, Burak Dakak, Cem Davran, Umut Kurt, Melis Birkan, and Doğu Demirkol.