The film “Taghiyev: Oil” has been submitted by Azerbaijan in the category of “Best International Feature Film” for the 98th Academy Awards.
According to “Tehsil365”, this was announced by Shamil Aliyev, film director and Chairman of the Azerbaijani Film Selection Committee.
He noted that the longlist for the category will be announced in October, the shortlist in December, and the main nominations in January 2026. The award ceremony will take place in Los Angeles in March 2026.
The film was produced by Baku Media Center with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Ministry of Culture, and the Cinema Agency.
“Taghiyev: Oil” is the first episode of the multi-part film “Taghiyev”, dedicated to the life path of the millionaire and great philanthropist Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev. The film also touches upon significant historical events that took place in Baku and other regions of the country at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries. The presentation of the four-part film, which makes an important contribution to promoting this period of Azerbaijan’s history and national values, is a remarkable event as it coincides with the 100th anniversary of the philanthropist’s passing in 2024.
Through this film, special attention is drawn to Taghiyev’s pioneering role in establishing the first school for girls in the Muslim East, his contribution to the development of the oil industry in Azerbaijan, and his efforts in building essential infrastructure for the city of Baku.
The scale of the production makes it a landmark in the history of Azerbaijani cinema. Filming took place across 76 different locations, with nearly 2,500 participants involved in large-scale scenes. More than 300 decorations were prepared for the historical settings. To accurately recreate Taghiyev’s era, a special costume workshop was established, producing numerous garments, accessories, jewelry pieces, and unique props.
The film’s executive producer is Arzu Aliyeva, producer Orman Aliyev, director Zaur Gasimli, screenwriters Ismayil Iman, Asif Isgandarli and Zaur Gasimli, cinematographer Vladimir Artemyev, production designer Sabuhi Atababayev, costume designer Vusal Rahim, and composer Etibar Asadli.
The cast includes People’s Artists Parviz Mammadrzayev (as Taghiyev) and Qurban Ismayilov, as well as Honored Artists Rasim Jafar, Elshan Rustamov, and Natavan Hajiyeva, among a wide range of professional actors portraying historical figures.