Oscars: Jordan Selects Zain Duraie’s ‘Sink’ For Best International Feature Film Entry

Jordan has chosen Zain Duraie’s Sink as its entry for the International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards.

Clara Khoury (The Voice of Hind Rajab) stars as a mother in denial about her son’s mental health struggles, preferring instead to interpret his emotional withdrawal and disruptive behavior at school as adolescent rebellion.

She is joined in the cast by Mohammad Nizar (AlRawabi School for Girls, The Red Sea Makes Me Wanna Cry) as the son and popular Jordanian actor and comedian Wissam Tobeileh.

The crew includes Tunisian cinematographer Farouk Laâridh, whose credits include Kaouther Ben Hania’s hybrid Oscar-nominated, Cannes Golden Eye winner Four Daughters.

Amman born and raised director Duraie is a graduate of the Toronto Film School. Sink is her debut feature after well received short films Horizon and Give up the Ghost.

The film world premiered at TIFF in 2025 and then went on to screen in a more than a dozen film festivals including BFI London, Malmo and the Red Sea International Film Festival.

It is produced by Jordanian producer Alaa Alasad, whose previous credits include Yunan. London-based MetFilm handles international sales.

Jordan’s selection committee is made up of half a dozen film professionals and experts, with the Royal Film Commission – Jordan (RFC) overseeing the process but not involved in the choice.

Sink follows the buzzy submission for the 2026 Oscars All That’s Left Of You by Cherien Dabis which made the December shortlist.