With the 96th Academy Awards just days away, the U.S. Department of State announced today a new partnership with Middleburg Film Festival to elevate film as a diplomatic tool to promote peace and democracy worldwide. Focused on sharing critically acclaimed international films with audiences across the United States throughout 2024, this new partnership kicked off in January with the ‘Road to the Oscars’ screening series, thereby highlighting this year’s Oscar nominees for Best International Feature Film, in collaboration with the Motion Picture Association. The ‘Road to the Oscars’ culminated this week at a celebration of international film hosted by Dame Karen Pierce, British Ambassador to the United States.
The ‘Road to the Oscars’ screening series brought together the diplomatic corps, film distributors, and filmmakers, to screen “The Teacher’s Lounge” (Germany), “Io Capitano” (Italy), and “Society of the Snow” (Spain). “The Zone of Interest” (United Kingdom), and “Perfect Days” (Japan) round out this year’s nominees for Best International Feature Film.
The new partnership builds on previously announced collaborations between the State Department and Middleburg Film Festival through the American Film Showcase, the Department’s flagship film diplomacy program that connects foreign filmmakers with the American entertainment industry. Last October, Middleburg Film Festival hosted a delegation of Ukrainian filmmakers and will host international filmmakers again at this year’s festival.
As part of the ‘Road to the Oscars’ screening series, the Department hosted a special screening of “20 Days in Mariupol” (Ukraine), which is nominated for Best Documentary Feature Film, just days after the second-year mark of Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine.
Film diplomacy – both American film and international film – is part of the United States’ vast diplomatic efforts to promote peace and democracy worldwide through culture – including film, music, sport, and cultural heritage – in support of broader U.S. foreign policy goals. The United States works with filmmakers from around the world through exchange programs like American Film Showcase and Global Media Makers. Through global storytelling, the Department harnesses the power of film – from production to promotion – to not only promote peace and cross-cultural connections, but also empower emerging voices and expand access to economic opportunity and equity.
For more information on film diplomacy contact eca-press@state.gov.
