Thinus Ferreira
The Heart is a Muscle is South Africa's official Oscars entry in the Best International Feature Film category for the 98th Academy Awards that will take place in March 2026.
South Africa's National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) selected the Cape Flats-set film that is Imran Hamdulay's feature debut as director, as the country's official submission for the Best International Feature Film category.
The Heart is a Muscle was written and directed by Imran Hamdulay, produced by
The Star Film Company's Adam Thal, Khosie Dali, Brett Michael Innes and Lesley-Ann Brandt.
The Heart is a Muscle had its premiere at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival where it won the Panorama Ecumenical Jury Prize and continues to play at festivals worldwide, including the 72nd Sydney Film
Festival, the kykNET Silwerskermfees film festival and the upcoming Cairo International Film Festival.
The Heart is a Muscle explores the bonds between fathers and sons through the lens of inter-generational healing and forgiveness and draws on experiences specific to South Africa's crime-riddled Cape Flats neighbourhood.
The film traces a man struggling to confront inherited memories and, through the slow work of forgiveness, learning how to become the father and husband he longs to be.
"The film is very close to my heart. It's a shared story born from the voices and experiences of the community around it, and we're just so thrilled to have it as South Africa’s entry at the Academy Awards this year," Imran Hamdulay says.
South Africa last won an Oscar in the category with Gavin Hood's 2005 Tsotsi.
The Heart is a Muscle received support from the NFVF, the Red Sea Fund and South Africa's Indigenous Film Distribution and Development, which is also distributing the film in South Africa.
The French sales agent MMM Film Sales has acquired international rights.
According to the NFVF, The Heart is a Muscle was selected after what it calls a "rigorous adjudication process conducted by the
South African Academy Awards Selection Committee which is a diverse panel of 13
professionals drawn from across the filmmaking value chain, including
directing, producing, distribution, academic
and technical expertise",
This committee got together from 8 to 11 September 2025 at Nu Metro Cinemas
to review submissions and the final decision was made on 15
September.
According to the NFVF, the process was overseen and audited by the
NFVF's auditing firm, SNG Grant
Thornton.
Onke Dumeko, acting NFVF CEO, says "The selection of
The Heart Is A Muscle not only represents the incredible
storytelling and creative excellence of South African filmmakers, but
also highlights our nation’s ability to produce cinema that resonates
globally".
"Despite the heartfelt story’s resonance across
racial groups and geographic borders, it is depicted in a specific
South African cultural setting that is not often represented which
enables a great opportunity for our industry."
"The performances are
fantastic and the film reminds one about the power of cinema
to move the hearts and minds of audiences."
"The film’s selection by the
committee and submission through this process underscores the NFVF’s
ongoing commitment to nurturing and promoting South African talent
internationally. The NFVF congratulates the filmmakers, cast, and crew of The Heart Is A Muscle on this milestone achievement and looks forward to seeing South Africa represented at the Oscars in 2026."
