Foreign Language Oscar – Many Will Enter, Few Will Win

Ninety-one countries ranging across the geographical, economic and cultural spectrum have been invited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to submit their best films for consideration in the Foreign Language Film category for the 78th Academy Awards.

In 2004, 50 countries submitted films for consideration, and the Spanish film The Sea Inside won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film from a field of nominated films from France (Les Choristes), Germany (Downfall), South Africa (Yesterday) and Sweden (As It Is in Heaven).

Since 1956, 99 different countries have submitted films to the foreign language competition. The Republic of Kazakhstan has received its first invitation to participate this year. Canada’s The Barbarian Invasions won for ’03, and Germany’s Nowhere in Africa took the honors for ’02.

To qualify for consideration for the 2005 Award, a film must be released in the submitting country between October 1, 2004, and September 30, 2005, and publicly screened in 35mm or 70mm film for at least seven consecutive days in a commercial motion picture theater. The dialogue track must be predominantly in an official language of the submitting country. Accurate English subtitles are required.

Entry forms must be received at the Academy by Monday, October 3, and films must be received by Friday, October 14. Only one picture will be accepted from each country. Forms may be obtained by contacting Awards Coordinator Torene Svitil via the Academy – so get on it, foreigners.

The Academy Awards return on Sunday, March 5, 2006, to the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.