Holocaust drama The Zone of Interest has emerged as the first British film, albeit in the German language, to win an Oscar in the best international feature category.

UK films garnered nominations twice before in the best international feature category — for Paul Turner's 1993 Welsh anti-war biopic Hedd Wyn and Paul Morrison's 1999 drama Solomon and Gaenor.

Directed and written by British auteur Jonathan Glazer, The Zone of Interest was shot extensively in Poland. It delves into the intricacies of complicity against the backdrop of a Nazi family's mundane existence adjacent to the Auschwitz concentration camp.

"Our film shows where dehumanisation leads, at its worst," remarked Jonathan Glazer in his acceptance speech, adding, "Right now, we stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people."

“Whether the victims of October 7 in Israel or the ongoing attack on Gaza — all the victims of this dehumanisation,” he further said in the speech,registering his protest against the Gaza bombardment.

The 96th Oscars was held in Los Angeles on Monday (IST).