The Irish Film and Television Academy has chosen Ireland’s official entry for the international feature film category of the next Academy Awards.

“Sanatorium,” the Irish-made, Ukrainian-language documentary, is set to represent the country at the 98th Oscars, following in the footsteps of last year’s “Kneecap,” which was shortlisted, and 2003’s “The Quiet Girl,” which became the first film submitted by Ireland to be nominated.

The feature debut of Galway-born filmmaker Gar O’Rourke, “Sanatorium” takes a vivid look at at Kuyalnik Sanatorium, a large 1970s building near Odessa in southern Ukraine, where a small group searches for love, healing and happiness and where mud treatments and Soviet-era therapies continue despite a war close by. The biggest attraction is the mysterious black mud, said to cure infertility, physical disabilities and various other ailments. The film had its world premiere at CPH:DOX in Copenhagen in their main international competition, DOX:AWARD, in late March.

“Sanatorium” is produced by Venom Films by IFTA-winning Ken Wardrop and Andrew Freedman (“His & Hers,” “Making the Grade”), along with Samantha Corr. It was was co-produced by 2332 Films Ukraine and made with support from Screen Ireland, BBC Storyville, MetFilm Sales, France TV, and Creative Europe. The film was edited by John Murphy (“The Quiet Girl”), with Denys Melnyk (“Militantropos”) as director of photography. Irish Distributor Eclipse Pictures will release the film in Irish Cinemas on Sep. 5.

“IFTA is delighted to announce that ‘Sanatorium’ will represent Ireland in the upcoming Oscar International Feature Film category,” said IFTA chief executive Áine Moriarty. “What an intriguing and quietly powerful film, with its vibrant and visually stunning scenery and colourful cast of real-life characters who find escapism within the confines of an unconventional wellness centre in Ukraine. It is inspiring to see an Irish creative team collaborate with Ukrainian colleagues to capture these moments in time, which will no doubt resonate with international audiences.”

“Sanatorium” was selected by IFTA’s 2025 selection committee, which included Oscar-nominated filmmaker Kirsten Sheridan (“In America,” “Disco Pigs”); BAFTA and IFTA-winning filmmakers Rich Peppiatt (“Kneecap,” “One Rogue Reporter”) and Neasa Hardiman (“Untamed,” “Happy Valley”); Emmy and IFTA-nominated casting director Louise Kiely (“The Banshees of Inisherin,” “Normal People”); Emmy-nominated and IFTA-winning filmmaker Aoife McArdle (“Severance,”” Kissing Candice”); IFTA-winning actor Barry Ward (“That They May Face The Rising Sun,” “Jimmy’s Hall”); and was chaired by Moriarty.

“To have the privilege of representing Ireland on the biggest stage in world cinema is an incredible honour, and I’m deeply grateful to IFTA and everyone who has been on this journey with us,” said O’Rourke. “Since the premiere of ‘Sanatorium’ earlier this year, the international response has been overwhelming. This was a film that set out to show the power of healing, the resilience of community, and above all the strength of the Ukrainian spirit in the face of such traumatic times. None of this would have been possible without the extraordinary dedication of our Ukrainian crew and co-producers 2332 Films, the producers at Venom Films, and the invaluable support of Screen Ireland, amongst our many other partners.”

The Oscar international feature shortlist will be announced on Dec. 16 and the final five nominees will be announced on Jan. 22.