The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) announced
yesterday that it has invited 96 countries to submit their top picks for
consideration as best foreign language film at the 81st Oscars ceremony.
To qualify for the award, a film must have had its first public showing in a
commercial theater in its home country for at least seven consecutive days
between last Oct. 1, and Sept. 30 of this year.
The film must have been produced with a predominantly non-English dialogue
track in the language of the submitting country, and accurate English subtitles
are required.
Entry forms and film prints must be received at the Academy by Oct. 1. Only
one picture will be accepted from each country.
In 2007, the Austrian film "The Counterfeiters" won the Best Foreign Film
Oscar over a field of nominated films from Israel, Kazakhstan, Poland and
Russia.
The 81st Academy Awards ceremony will be held Feb. 22 at the Kodak Theatre in
Hollywood, Los Angeles and will be televised live in more than 200 countries.
