Oman today_ The film “Cause of Death: Unknown”, directed by Ali Zarnegar, has been officially selected as Iran’s submission for the 98th Academy Awards in 2026 in the Best International Feature Film category. It was among the five final candidates under consideration and ultimately secured the committee’s vote.
The story follows a group of seven travelers who set out from Shahdad toward Kerman before sunrise. However, their journey takes an unexpected turn when they discover that one of their companions has suddenly died along the way.
The selection committee consisted of Pantea Panahiha, Azadeh Mousavi, Abolhassan Davoodi, Farhad Tohidi, Hooman Behmanesh, Mohammadreza Delpak, Mostafa Kiayee, Ali Dehkordi, and Mohammadreza Tashakori.
The cast of “Cause of Death: Unknown” includes Banipal Shoomoon, Alireza Sanifar, Neda Jebraeili, Ali-Mohammad Radmanesh, Zakieh Behbahani, Reza Amouzad, Soheil Bavi, and Saeed Rezaeikia.
Previously, Zarnegar won the Best Screenplay award for this film at the 15th Critics and Writers Guild of Iranian Cinema Awards.
“Cause of Death: Unknown” selected as Iran’s entry for the 2026 Oscars
