Czech Republic selects documentary ‘If Pigeons Turned to Gold’ for Academy Awards international feature submission

The Czech Republic has selected the documentary If Pigeons Turned to Gold for its Academy Awards international feature submission, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The film, directed by Pepa Ljubojacki, was previously recognized with a Berlin award and is now set to represent the country in the Oscar process for the 2027 ceremony.

The Hollywood Reporter describes the documentary as using DIY aesthetics, a stylistic approach that frames the story in an up-close, observational manner. The film centers on the “fortunes” of Ljubojacki’s brother and two cousins, focusing on how addiction spreads through their relationships and daily routines.

In the account provided by The Hollywood Reporter, the documentary traces a long deterioration, as drug use and dependency slowly undermine the stability of homes and the sense of safety within the family circle. Rather than presenting addiction as a single turning point, the film depicts gradual unraveling, tied to the everyday consequences of escalating behavior.

Ljubojacki’s subject matter is presented through the lens of family bonds and the emotional costs of losing them. The Hollywood Reporter reports that the film follows the changing dynamics between the relatives as their relationships are progressively damaged by addiction.

The selection adds to the film’s international profile following its Berlin recognition. For the Academy Awards, the Czech Republic’s decision means the documentary will be entered as the country’s official submission for the international feature category for the 2027 awards cycle.

Representing a country at the Oscars’ international feature category is often treated as both a cultural milestone and a visibility boost for films competing in the global awards marketplace. For If Pigeons Turned to Gold, the nomination pathway begins with the country-level selection announced by the Czech Republic.

The next step in the awards process will depend on how the documentary proceeds once it enters the Academy’s review and selection system for the 2027 ceremony, following its filing as the Czech Republic’s submission.