Kosovo scoops country’s first Oscar shortlist nomination

Blerta Basholli has made history as the first Kosovan director to make it into the 2022 Oscars shortlist for Best International Feature with her debut movie Hive.

Hive follows a woman struggling to provide for her family after losing her husband in the Kosovo war in 1998-9. Striving for independence, she tries to set up a business with other widows in her village, but faces sexist backlash from within her community.

Compelling, complex, and beautifully shot, Hive was also the first picture to scoop the top three awards in the Sundance 2021 festival: the Grand Jury Prize, Directing Award, and Audience Award.

In order to win an Oscar, the picture will first need to secure a final nomination, alongside four other films from the current 15-movie shortlist. The final ceremony for the 94th Academy Awards will take place on 27 March 2022.