Jordan Submits Artsakh-Themed Documentary Film for 2025 Oscar Consideration

Filmmaker Sareen Hairabedian’s documentary, “My Sweet Land,” has been selected to represent Jordan in the 97th Academy Awards for the “Best International Feature Film” category, Deadline reported on Wednesday. The decision was made by a committee overseen by the Royal Film Commission of Jordan.

“My Sweet Land” is a coming of age story centered on Vrej, an 11-year-old Armenian boy from Artsakh who aspires to become a dentist. But living in Artsakh means living in constant fear of attacks by Azerbaijan, which Vrej and his family ultimately experience, and must escape. After fleeing the violence and returning to their home in Artsakh, Vrej’s family is struck with the reality of this sort of conflict—their homeland is now in ruins.

The documentary is the Jordanian-Armenian director’s feature debut, following her HBO short documentary, “We Are Not Done Yet,” which won several awards, according to Deadline.

Hairabedian’s latest film premiered at the 2024 Sheffield Documentary Film Festival and was screened at various festivals throughout the year, including the Amman International Film Festival, earning awards for “Best Feature Documentary” and “Best Feature Length Arab Documentary” along the way.

“My Sweet Land” is produced by Jordanian filmmaker Azza Hourani, who worked alongside co-producers Julie Paratian and David Rane, under the banner of HAI Creative in co-production with Sister Productions and Soilsíu Films, a co-production of ITVS in association with ARTE France and World of HA Productions.

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences is set to announce its shortlist of the “Best International Feature” nominees on December 17, and nominations will be unveiled on January 17, 2025. The 2025 Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, March 2, 2025.