Brazil’s ‘O Agente Secreto’ Accelerates Oscars Campaign With Neon and Critics Choice Spotlight

Overview

• Academia Brasileira de Cinema selected the film on September 15 as Brazil’s official submission for Best International Feature at the 2026 Oscars.
• Hollywood Reporter awards columnist Scott Feinberg now forecasts potential nominations in up to five categories, including Best Picture, Director (Kleber Mendonça Filho), Actor (Wagner Moura), Original Screenplay and International Feature, with a long‑shot mention for supporting actress Tânia Maria.
• Kleber Mendonça Filho will receive a Critics Choice directing honor on October 24 in Los Angeles, following an October 19 Academy Museum screening moderated by Walter Salles.
• U.S. distributor Neon is steering the awards push after high‑profile festival stops—Cannes prizes and warmly received Telluride and Toronto screenings—as the film completes the commercial run required for Academy eligibility in Brazil.
• The Hollywood Reporter also spotlights Petra Costa’s Apocalipse nos trópicos as a likely Best Documentary contender, highlighting broader Brazilian visibility this season.