The film "Sanatorium" directed by Irish filmmaker Gar O'Rourke, shot in Ukraine, is competing for a nomination for the "Oscar-2026" in the category of "Best International Feature Film" from Ireland.
This was announced by the Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA).
Gar O'Rourke, hailing from Galway, is the director, while producers include Andrew Friedman, Ken Wardrop, and Samantha Corr. The film depicts the sanatorium "Kuyalnik" near Odesa, built in the 1970s, which serves as both a hotel and a medical center amidst the ongoing war. The world premiere of "Sanatorium" took place at the Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival in late March. Subsequently, the film participated in various international festivals, including Visions Du Reel in Switzerland, the Edinburgh International Film Festival, DocuDays UA, the Melbourne International Film Festival, and the Galway Film Fleadh, where it won the award for "Best Irish Feature Documentary of 2025".
The film will be released in Irish cinemas on September 5. The shortlist of international feature films competing for the "Oscar-2026" will be announced on December 16, with the final nominees revealed on January 22, 2026.
