Romania has selected Cristian Mungiu's *Fjord*, starring Renate Reinsve and Sebastian Stan, as its official entry for the Best International Feature category at the 99th Academy Awards. The drama follows two fundamentalist parents who move from Romania to a Norwegian village and end up defending their beliefs and parenting methods in court after being accused of child abuse. The selection matters because the film's Palme d'Or win, star power and provocative themes make it a strong contender, and could deliver Mungiu his first Oscar nomination despite a long, decorated career.

Fjord premiered at Cannes, where it won the Palme d'Or, and was picked up by Neon for US release; under new Academy rules, that win already guaranteed the film automatic entry qualification regardless of Romania's choice. Mungiu previously won the Palme d'Or in 2007 for 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days, which Romania controversially did not submit for the Oscars, while his 2012 film Beyond the Hills was submitted and shortlisted but not nominated. Romania has had only one Oscar-nominated film to date, Alexander Nanau's documentary Collective, and has never won. The international feature shortlist will be announced on 15 December, nominees on 21 January 2027, with the ceremony held on 14 March 2027.