The Czech Republic has selected Klára Tasovská's documentary, 'I'm Not Everything I Want to Be,' as its official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards. This selection marks a historic first, as it is the inaugural time the Czech Film and Television Academy has chosen a documentary for this prestigious honor. The film provides an in-depth exploration of the life and work of photographer Libuše Jarcovjáková, whose intimate documentation of Prague's underground LGBTQ+ scene during the restrictive communist rule of the 1980s is brought to light through Tasovská's directorial vision.
The documentary chronicles Jarcovjáková's personal journey, including her escape to West Berlin and her experiences capturing the clandestine gay club culture of the era. Her black-and-white, flash-lit photography from this period offers a raw portrayal of a community navigating a repressive society. Jarcovjáková's work, which also encompassed self-portraits and images of Vietnamese and Cuban migrants, remained largely unseen until the 2000s, with a significant portion published in 2019 as 'Evokativ.' Drawing from thousands of her analog photographs and private diaries, the film presents a deeply personal narrative. 'I'm Not Everything I Want to Be' has already received international recognition, winning awards at festivals like the Berlin International Film Festival and the Festival du nouveau cinéma. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will announce the shortlist of 15 international films in mid-December 2025, with final Oscar nominations revealed in January 2026, ahead of the 98th Academy Awards ceremony on March 15, 2026. The film's Oscar submission underscores the growing appreciation for documentaries that illuminate vital historical and social narratives, particularly those concerning marginalized communities and their resilience.