The Czech Film and Television Academy selected the documentary film If pigeons turned into gold (If Pigeons Turned to Gold), directed by Pepa Lubojacki, as the official Czech entry for the 99th Academy Awards in the international feature film category, according to announcements reported by Czech media in August 2026. The personal documentary focuses on the filmmaker’s brother and cousins battling severe alcohol addiction and homelessness.
Lubojacki spent five years filming her brother and relatives, documenting the realities of life on the street and her own efforts to intervene. The project explores the complex family dynamics surrounding addiction, examining how substance dependence impacts not only the individual but also their immediate family and the broader social environment. The film combines observational footage with personal reflections on trauma and the limits of familial support.
International Recognition and Festival Success
Before entering the Oscar race, the documentary premiered internationally in February 2026 at the Berlinale, where it won the award for best documentary film alongside the independent Caligari prize, as reported by Frekvence 1. The Czech selection process involved two rounds, narrowing down an initial pool of ten submitted films before academy members finalized the candidate.
The selection follows previous Czech submissions, including Klára Tasovská’s documentary I’m not yet who I want to be. (I’m Not Everything I Want to Be) sent to the Academy last year, and Jiří Mádl’s feature Waves (Waves) the year prior. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will announce a shortlist of fifteen films on December 15, 2026, with official nominations following on January 21, 2027.
Formal Approach and Artistic Choices
The film employs unconventional stylistic methods to convey its narrative. These formal choices mix with diary-style footage and audio recordings.
Critics and reviewers note that the documentary captures the emotional strain of unrequited attempts to help someone who refuses treatment. While the film highlights the societal barriers and stigmas faced by unhoused individuals, it centers primarily on the intimate sisterly perspective rather than offering broad socioeconomic policy solutions.
Key Details at a Glance
- Director: Lubojacki’s Paper
- Category: International Feature Film (Czech Oscar submission)
- Major Awards: Best Documentary and Caligari Prize at the Berlinale 2026
- Key Dates: Shortlist announcement on December 15, 2026; nominations on January 21, 2027; Academy Awards ceremony on March 14, 2027
The film opened in Czech cinemas in late September 2026 following its festival run, allowing domestic audiences to evaluate the academy’s choice ahead of the international voting rounds.
