Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — For the first time in history, a Thai film has made it to the Oscars shortlist for Best International Feature Film. How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, directed by Pat Boonnitipat, was officially named one of the 15 shortlisted films for the 2025 Academy Awards in the prestigious category.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) announced the shortlist on Tuesday afternoon in Los Angeles, or Wednesday morning in Indonesia, according to CNN Indonesia.
This milestone marks Thailand’s first breakthrough into the Oscars shortlist since the country began submitting films in 1984. How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies represents Thailand’s 31st submission and sets a new precedent for the nation’s film industry.
Thailand is now the second Southeast Asian country to reach the shortlist after Cambodia. Cambodia achieved this distinction twice, in 2013 and 2022. Notably, Cambodia’s The Missing Picture earned a nomination at the 86th Academy Awards in 2013.
Indonesia, despite submitting films 26 times since 1987, has yet to secure a spot on the Oscars shortlist.
Released in April 2024, How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies quickly became a box office sensation across Thailand, Indonesia, and other Southeast Asian markets. The film grossed $34 million globally, becoming Thailand’s highest-grossing film of 2024 and the 11th highest of all time in the country.
In Indonesia, the film ran for three weeks, attracting over 3.5 million viewers and becoming the first Thai film to surpass 3 million admissions in the country.
Directed by Pat Boonnitipat, known for his work on Bad Genius (2020) and Project S: The Series (2017), the Thai film resonated with audiences for its heartfelt storytelling and cultural relatability.
Full Shortlist for the 2025 Oscars Best International Feature Film:
- I’m Still Here – Brazil
- Universal Language – Canada
- Waves – Czech Republic
- The Girl with the Needle – Denmark
- Emilia Perez – France
- The Seed of the Sacred Flag – Germany
- Touch – Iceland
- Kneecap – Ireland
- Vermiglio – Italy
- Flow – Latvia
- Armand – Norway
- From Ground Zero – Palestine
- Dahomey – Senegal
- How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies – Thailand
- Santosh – United Kingdom
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The Oscars nomination announcements are set for January 2025, with the winners to be revealed at the 97th Academy Awards ceremony in March.
(Raidi/Agung)
