Australia Selects ‘The Wolves Always Come at Night’ for Oscars
Australia has chosen Gabrielle Brady‘s documentary, The Wolves Always Come at Night, as its official submission for the Best International Feature category at the 2026 Academy Awards. This Mongolian-language film will also compete for consideration in the Best Documentary Feature category. The film poignantly explores the harrowing journey of Mongolian herders Davaasuren Dagvasuren and Otgonzaya Dashzeveg, who face the devastating impacts of a severe sandstorm exacerbated by the climate crisis, prompting their difficult decision to leave their homeland.
Having premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival within the Platform Prize program, the film faced significant challenges when Dagvasuren and Dashzeveg were denied visitor visas by the Canadian government. Despite this setback, the documentary continued to garner attention and acclaim, screening competitively at the London Film Festival and participating in several other prestigious festivals, including the Zurich Film Festival, IDFA, San Francisco International Film Festival, True/False, and Sydney Film Festival.
Groundbreaking Co-Production
Notably, The Wolves Always Come at Night marks the world’s first co-production involving Germany, Australia, and Mongolia. The film’s executive producers include Oscar-winner Dan Cogan, as well as Deanne Weir, Stefanie Plattner, Alexander Wadouh, and Emma Hindley. Production support came from Screen Australia, alongside private investment from Weir Anderson Films and Storming Donkey Productions. Additional financing was secured with the aid of BBC Storyville, SWR Arte, and Madman Films, while Cinephil handles worldwide sales.
Australia has a longstanding tradition of submitting films for the Best International Feature category at the Oscars, despite English being the country’s de facto national language. Since 1996, Australia has submitted sixteen films to this category, including notable entries like Rolf de Heer and Peter Djigirr‘s Ten Canoes (2006), Warwick Thornton‘s Samson and Delilah (2009), and Kim Mordaunt‘s The Rocket (2013). The film Tanna (2016) even received an official nomination, highlighting the country’s commitment to showcasing diverse narratives on the international stage.
The selection of The Wolves Always Come at Night underscores Australia’s dedication to promoting unique stories that reflect cultural resilience and the pressing challenges posed by climate change. As the film prepares for its journey towards the Academy Awards, it stands as a testament to the power of documentary filmmaking in addressing vital global issues.
