New Delhi, May 22 -- The latest rules for international, non-English language films qualifying for the 99th Oscars in 2027 could significantly widen the entry path for Indian cinema.

The new framework allows more than one entry per country if films have won top honours at six major festivals-Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Sundance, Toronto or Busan-effectively bypassing the country's official selection process.

While the move is seen as a major opportunity for India's regional and independent cinema, industry experts warn that global visibility and expensive Hollywood campaigns remain the biggest barriers.

Under the revised framework, independently produced films made on modest budgets can compete in the international feature category alongsi...