‘Variations on a Theme’ Selected as South Africa’s Official Oscar Entry

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – The critically acclaimed South African film “Variations on a Theme” has been officially selected as the country’s submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards. The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), the body responsible for submitting South African films to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, announced the selection on September 30, 2026, following a rigorous adjudication process.

A Story Rooted in Namaqualand

“Variations on a Theme,” also known by its Afrikaans title “Variasies op ‘n Tema,” is a 100% Afrikaans drama co-written and co-directed by Jason Jacobs and Devon Delmar. The film stars Hettie Farmer, a resident of Kharkams in the Northern Cape, who portrays an elderly goat herder in the Namaqualand region. The narrative delves into themes of memory, land, and the enduring consequences of historical injustices, including the long-delayed reparations for Second World War service and the impact of modern-day scams.

The film’s plot centers on Ouma Hettie, who falls victim to a scam promising reparations for her father’s wartime service. As she awaits money that never materializes, her family’s plans to move her to the city threaten her independence. Structured with recurring visual “variations,” the film uses repetition to explore themes of waiting, endurance, and loss. The story is partly inspired by director Jason Jacobs’ great-grandfather, Petrus Jakobus Beukes, who enlisted in the Allied forces during World War II.

“Being selected to represent South Africa as the country’s Oscar submission is an incredible honour,” said Annemarie du Plessis, the film’s producer. “The fact that we get to share the beautiful community of Kharkams, who are truly the heartbeat of this film, with the world makes it even more special.”

Critical Acclaim and Festival Success

The selection follows a string of accolades for “Variations on a Theme.” The film premiered at the 2026 International Film Festival Rotterdam, where it won the prestigious Tiger Award, the festival’s top prize. It subsequently won Best African Feature Film at the Joburg Film Festival 2026 and received the Jury Prize for Best Feature Narrative at the BlackStar Film Festival 2026. The film has also been screened at various international festivals, including the Melbourne International Film Festival and the Hong Kong International Film Festival.

The NFVF’s selection committee, comprising 13 professionals from across the filmmaking industry and approved by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, convened to screen and deliberate on the submissions. An independent auditing firm, SNG Grant Thornton, oversaw the process to ensure its integrity.

“Variations on a Theme” is the second feature film from directors Jason Jacobs and Devon Delmar, whose debut film, “Carissa,” premiered in the Orizzonti competition at the 2024 Venice International Film Festival.

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