88th Academy Awards Foreign-Language Film Shortlist

Today AMPAS announced the shortlist of nine (9) films that advance to the next round of voting in the Foreign-Language Film Category. Eighty (80) films originally been considered in the category.

Foreign Language Film nominations are being determined in two phases. The Phase I committee, consisting of several hundred Los Angeles-based Academy members, screened the original submissions in the category between mid-October and December 14. The group�s top six choices, augmented by three additional selections voted by the Academy�s Foreign Language Film Award Executive Committee, constitute the shortlist.

The shortlist will be winnowed down to the category�s five nominees by specially invited committees in New York, Los Angeles and London. They will spend Friday, January 8, through Sunday, January 10, viewing three films each day and then casting their ballots.

Belgium: Le Tout Nouveau Testament (The Brand New Testament), Jaco Van Dormael

Colombia: El Abrazo de la Serpiente (Embrace of the Serpent), Ciro Guerra

Denmark: Krigen (A War), Tobias Lindholm

Finland: Miekkailija (The Fencer), Klaus H�r�

France: Mustang, Deniz Gamze Erg�ven

Germany: Im Labyrinth des Schweigens (Labyrinth of Lies), Giulio Ricciarelli

Hungary: Saul Fia (Son of Saul), L�szl� Nemes

Ireland: Viva, Paddy Breathnach

Jordan: ???? Theeb (Wolf), Naji Abu Nowar

A few days back was predicting that this year the race was going to be between France and Hungary's submissions and unless something unexpected happens, believe both films will get a nomination. Can't deny that I'm surprised with shortlist as there were a couple of films that was hoping will get into the nine, but haven't seen quite a few so let's hope I can see some before the nominations are announced. Sigh.