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.
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Article comments
1 - Tan The Man
Many said that this year's Foreign Language Oscar was tainted because Pedro Almadovar's Bad Education was nominated. Even though The Sea Inside was a good movie, many felt that it was a no-brainer for Bad Education.
Also, Nowhere In Africa is a great movie. Must SEE!
2 - Eric Olsen
thanks Tan, I appreciate the info. Despite the best intentions, I get around to seeing films with subtitles with the approximate frequency of visits by Halley's Comet
3 - Tan The Man
It's really hard. I only saw Nowhere In Africa last year. It doesn't help that Blockbuster's foreign language section is very small.
*Many said that this year's Foreign Language Oscar was tainted because Pedro Almadovar's Bad Education was nominated. - Meant to say "wasn't nominated".
4 - sonja valentine
you should check out Net Flix - they have almost everything that comes out on DVD - lackluster (blockbuster) bites it for foreign films...
5 - Chris Beaumont
I saw both Bad Education and The Sea Inside theatrically, Bad Education really was a no-brainer. I felt that The Sea Inside was a bit overrated.
Based on the nominees last year, Downfall should have won (I got to see that theatrically as well).
6 - Temple Stark
>>thanks Tan, I appreciate the info. Despite the best intentions, I get around to seeing films with subtitles with the approximate frequency of visits by Halley's Comet
So you've seen four? I keeed. I keeeed :-)
Foreign language films would benefit most from being simultaneous in theater and pay-per-view i believe.
7 - Tan The Man
That would be a good idea. Or maybe a simultaneous DVD release too.
8 - Eric Olsen
or not being foreign