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And The Oscar Goes To… (2019) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2019 · 124 mins · Malayalam
Directed by
Salim Ahamed
Starring
Siddique, Sarath Kumar, Nikki Rae Hallow, Hareesh Perumanna, Zarina Wahab, Lal

Isaak Ebrahim, a dedicated but struggling Indian filmmaker, achieves his dream when his debut film is officially selected for the Oscars. Following the nomination, he encounters unexpected challenges and difficult situations that threaten his chance of winning the coveted award. He must navigate these obstacles to realize his aspirations and understand the complexities of the prestigious awards ceremony.

On this page (5)
  1. 1 Events in order (11)
  2. 2 Timeline questions answered
  3. 3 Movie threads
  4. 4 Movies like And The Oscar Goes To…
  5. 5 Every angle

11 events in order · contains spoilers

And The Oscar Goes To… Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of And The Oscar Goes To… (2019) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Issak Sets Out to Become a Film Director

    Issak Ebrahem, a young man with aspirations of directing films, decides to create a movie based on his own screenplay inspired by his native Moidukka. He takes the initial steps towards filmmaking by gathering resources and planning his project. His determination marks the beginning of his journey into the film industry.

  2. Mortgage and Construction of the Film

    To finance his project, Issak mortgages the land he inherited from Moidukka, providing the necessary capital for construction. He then assembles his team, including actor Aravind and cinematographer Sivakumar, who agree to make the film. This move enables him to start actual filming despite financial challenges.

  3. Filming 'Sky of Fireflies'

    Issak faces financial hardships during the filming process but perseveres to complete his debut film, 'Sky of Fireflies'. The production showcases Issak's dedication and vision as he brings his screenplay to life. The film becomes a significant milestone in his career.

  4. Submitting the Film for Awards

    With the help of Sivakumar, Issak submits 'Sky of Fireflies' for the national award on the final day of submission. The film garners critical acclaim, leading Aravindan to win the Best Actor award and the film to secure the Best Picture award at the National Awards.

  5. India's Entry to the Academy Awards

    Following its national success, Issak's film is officially submitted by India to compete in the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. This elevates the film's profile on an international stage and marks a major achievement in Issak's career.

  6. Maria Notices the Film

    A foreign marketing company representative named Maria sees Issak's movie, sparking international interest. Her viewing marks a pivotal moment that could open new opportunities for Issak's work beyond national borders.

  7. Screenings and Disappointments

    Prince, Issak's friend who had gone abroad, introduces the film to international audiences, including Maria. Despite some successful screenings, issues arise when Maria becomes angry over delayed payment, leading to a heated argument. The incident dampens the film's promotional momentum.

  8. Missing the Oscar Final List

    Issak learns that his film has not made it onto the final list for the Oscars, a disappointing setback after the film's previous successes. Feeling disheartened, Issak prepares to leave and returns home, reflecting on his journey and ambitions.

  9. Creating 'The Oscar Goes To'

    Before leaving, Issak completes a new film titled 'The Oscar Goes To', inspired by his experiences with the awards process. This project serves as a personal reflection on his hopes, dreams, and the struggles faced along the way.

  10. Returning to Moidukka

    Issak visits Moidukka to reconnect with his roots and reflect on his journey. During this visit, he meets his son Harshad at Moidukka's house, marking a moment of personal reconciliation. The return signifies a pause after his tumultuous filmmaking adventure.

    Where
    Moidukka
  11. The Final Scene with Moidukka's Son

    The film concludes with the return of Moidukka's son, who was previously imprisoned abroad, depicted in the movie 'Minnaminungukalude Aakasham'. Moidukka informs Issak that Harshad is not fully healed, revealing ongoing struggles. Issak apologizes and leaves, ending his story.

    Where
    Moidukka

Last updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:12

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Timeline questions answered

And The Oscar Goes To… Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of And The Oscar Goes To… (2019): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Issak mortgage his inherited land to make the film?

Issak mortgages the land he inherited from Moidukka to fund his debut film project. He had no other financial resources to finance his movie about his native Moidukka, so risking his property was the only way to gather the necessary capital for production.

Foreshadowing: The mortgage sets up the financial stakes that create tension throughout the film, especially when the Oscar campaign faces obstacles.

  • issak ebrahem
  • mortgage
  • film funding
  • land
  • moidukka
  • financing
Q2

How did Sky of Fireflies get selected for the Academy Awards?

After winning Best Picture and Best Actor at the National Awards in India, Sky of Fireflies was officially submitted by India to compete for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, which is how it reached the Oscar nomination process.

Foreshadowing: The national award wins were the stepping stones that enabled the film's international submission.

  • sky of fireflies
  • academy awards
  • oscars
  • india entry
  • foreign language film
  • national awards
Q3

What happens with Maria and why does she get upset?

Maria is a representative from a foreign marketing company who comes to view Issak's film. During the screenings, she becomes angry because she hasn't been paid immediately for her services, leading to a heated argument with Issak and Prince over food and financial matters.

Foreshadowing: The dispute foreshadows the challenges indie filmmakers face when dealing with international distributors and promoters.

  • maria
  • marketing rep
  • payment dispute
  • argument
  • film promotion
Q4

Why does Issak create a new film called The Oscar Goes To?

After learning his film didn't make the final Oscar shortlist, Issak creates The Oscar Goes To as a personal reflection on his entire journey through the awards process. The new film encapsulates his hopes, setbacks, and the emotional experience of pursuing the Oscar dream.

Foreshadowing: This meta-film shows Issak transforming his disappointment into creative expression.

  • the oscar goes to
  • new film
  • reflection
  • journey
  • personal experience
Q5

Who is Harshad and what is the final revelation about him?

Harshad is Issak's son who had been abroad. When Issak returns to Moidukka, he discovers that Harshad was not fully healed as initially believed. Moidukka confesses this truth, and Issak apologizes for the struggles and misunderstandings their family endured during his filmmaking journey.

Foreshadowing: The timeline reveals Harshad was previously imprisoned abroad, depicted in the movie 'Minnaminungukalude Aakasham', adding context to his situation.

  • harshad
  • son
  • issak family
  • moidukka
  • reconciliation
  • healing
Q6

Why didn't Sky of Fireflies make the final Oscar shortlist?

The film was submitted by India for the Best Foreign Language Film category but ultimately was not selected for the final shortlist. While the exact reason isn't specified in the story, it represents the competitive nature of the Oscars and the subjective selection process.

Foreshadowing: This disappointment serves as a pivotal emotional turning point that leads Issak to create his reflective film.

  • oscar shortlist
  • rejected
  • disappointment
  • academy awards
Q7

What role does Prince play in the Oscar campaign and what happens with him?

Prince is Issak's close friend who had gone abroad. He returns to help with the Oscar campaign, introducing the film to international audiences including Maria. However, the payment dispute with Maria deeply pains Prince, highlighting the emotional toll the filmmaking journey has on everyone involved.

Foreshadowing: Prince's involvement shows how Issak's success affected his relationships with friends.

  • prince
  • friend
  • oscars campaign
  • international screening
  • maria dispute
Q8

Why are the National Awards important for Issak's journey?

The National Awards serve as the breakthrough moment for Issak's film. Sky of Fireflies wins Best Picture and actor Aravindan wins Best Actor, which brings critical acclaim and legitimizes Issak as a filmmaker. These wins also enable the film to be submitted for international consideration, including the Oscars.

Foreshadowing: The National Awards success creates the momentum that attracts Maria and international attention.

  • national awards
  • best picture
  • best actor
  • aravindan
  • critical acclaim
  • breakthrough
Q9

Why does Issak return to Moidukka at the end of the story?

After the Oscar disappointment, Issak returns to Moidukka to reconnect with his roots and family. This homecoming represents a moment of personal reconciliation after his tumultuous filmmaking adventure, where he also learns the truth about his son Harshad's health.

Foreshadowing: Moidukka was the inspiration for Issak's original film, making this return thematically significant.

  • return home
  • moidukka
  • reconciliation
  • family
  • emotional resolution

Movie threads

More Movies Like And The Oscar Goes To…, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes And The Oscar Goes To… tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about artistic dreams with personal costs like And The Oscar Goes To…

Stories where creative ambition is achieved at a significant personal or emotional cost. If you liked the bittersweet journey of artistic ambition in 'And The Oscar Goes To…', explore other movies about dream pursuit, creative struggle, and the emotional price of success. These similar drama stories feature hopeful yet reflective tones, capturing the complex reality of achieving a goal at great personal sacrifice.

  • hopeful
  • stubborn
  • reflective
  • dreamlike
  • disappointed
  • persevering
  • Tone: bittersweet, reflective
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives in this thread typically follow a dedicated protagonist striving for a lofty creative goal. The story charts their progress against a backdrop of mounting personal costs—often involving family, finances, or personal well-being. The climax is not a simple victory but a nuanced outcome, blending professional achievement with the sobering acknowledgment of what was lost along the way.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared exploration of ambition's dual nature. They balance hopeful determination with the weight of sacrifice, resulting in a consistently bittersweet tone. The pacing is often steady, allowing the emotional consequences of the character's choices to resonate deeply with the viewer.

Steady-paced movies about perseverance like And The Oscar Goes To…

Character-driven stories where dogged determination meets a thoughtful, realistic conclusion. Find movies with a similar steady, reflective pace to 'And The Oscar Goes To…'. These character-driven stories focus on personal journeys, stubborn determination, and the complex outcomes of chasing a dream, perfect if you liked the film's realistic and thoughtful portrayal of struggle and resolve.

  • persevering
  • stubborn
  • reflective
  • hopeful
  • grounded
  • determined
  • Tone: hopeful, reflective, grounded
  • Pacing: steady, linear progression
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a linear progression where a determined character faces a series of challenges. The conflict is internal as much as external, testing their resolve and forcing introspection. The story avoids frantic pacing, instead building its emotional weight gradually through consistent character development, leading to a conclusion that feels earned and contemplative.

Why they belong together: These movies are connected by their deliberate pacing and focus on a persevering protagonist. They share a medium intensity that comes from personal stakes rather than external danger, and a tone that blends hopefulness with a grounded, sometimes disappointed, realism. The experience is one of thoughtful engagement with a character's journey.

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Every angle

And The Oscar Goes To… (2019) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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