THE LOVE THAT REMAINS is Iceland's Oscar candidate
The Icelandic Film and TV Academy has selected Hlynur Pálmason's The Love That Remains as Iceland's official entry in the Best International Feature Film category for the 2026 Academy Awards. The Icelandic jury, formed by the Icelandic Film and TV Academy, consists of representatives from leading professional associations in Iceland's film sector, distributors, critics, and the Icelandic Film Centre.
This is the third time that a film by Hlynur Pálmason is selected as Iceland's entry to the category, following A White, White Day (2020) and Godland (2024), which reached the shortlist for the Academy Awards that year.
In its justification, the Icelandic jury states:
“The Love That Remains captivates with strong and effortless performances and a simple yet powerful visual narrative. It moves seamlessly between social realism and artistic imagery, captivating the viewer from the very first frame. The interactions and interpretations of the actors are so authentic that the viewer feels almost as if looking through a peephole into the life of a real family, rather than witnessing a predetermined structure or staged performance.
Hlynur Pálmason.
The cinematography is remarkably beautiful, capturing both the seasons and everyday life in coastal towns, with some of the most striking images ever seen of trawler fishing. The tone and visual language are original, in perfect harmony with the work's overall vision, resulting in a true piece of art where every frame is considered, and the whole becomes a tender, poignant narrative that touches on universal human emotions.
Above all, The Love That Remains is an ode to nature, family, and love. Outstanding in so many ways, where cinematography, editing, and sound design create a cohesive, multilayered film with a special kind of magic – where the storytelling lies within the images themselves. Often, simple scenes form a magnificent whole, with the actors excelling in a natural and unaffected manner.
The filmmaker shows courage through a risky narrative approach that strengthens the film's singularity while highlighting both its strengths and challenges. The result is a beautiful, sincere, and unique film that truly deserves its place among award-winning works on an international scale.”
The 98th Academy Awards will take place on March 15, 2026. The shortlist will be announced on December 16 this year, while the nominations will be revealed on January 22, 2026.
The Love That Remains had its world premiere at the Cannes Premiere section this year. The film captures a year in the life of a family as parents navigate their separation. Through playful and heartfelt moments, it portrays the bittersweet essence of faded love and shared memories amidst the changing seasons. The cast includes Saga Garðarsdóttir, Sverrir Guðnason, Ída Mekkín Hlynsdóttir, Þorgils Hlynsson, Grímur Hlynsson, Ingvar Sigurðsson, and Anders Mossling.
It is produced by Anton Máni Svansson for STILL VIVID (Iceland), in collaboration with Katrin Pors for Snowglobe (Denmark). Co-produced by Mikkel Jersin and Eva Jakobsen for Snowglobe (Denmark), Nima Yousefi for HOBAB (Sweden), Didar Domehri for Maneki Films (France), Anthony Muir and Kristina Börjeson for Film I Väst (Sweden), and Olivier Pere and Remi Burah for Arte France Cinema (France).
The film is supported by the Icelandic Film Centre, The Icelandic Ministry of Culture and Business Affairs, the Danish Film Institute, Nordisk Film & TV Fond, the Swedish Film Institute, Creative Europe Media, the Municipality of Hornafjordur, RÚV, Jour de Fête, ARTE, Max Dreifing, SVT, and DR.
New Europe Film Sales handles international sales, as with Hlynur's previous films – A White, White Day (Critics' Week, Cannes), Winter Brothers (main competition, Locarno), and Godland (Un Certain Regard, Cannes) – as well as his short films Nest (Berlinale Special) and Joan of Arc (Zabaltegi-Tabakalera, San Sebastian).
North American rights for the film are with Janus Films, the specialized distribution company behind the success of Academy Award winner Drive My Car, Academy Award nominated EO and Academy Award winner Flow. Janus also handled the North American release of Pálmason's Godland, which was Academy Award shortlisted in 2024.