Oscar Shortlist Released For Foreign Language Films

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has released the shortlist for contenders in the best foreign language film category for the upcoming Oscars ceremony. These nine films were selected from a list of 71 films, and the final winner will be announced at the 85^th Annual Academy Awards show on Feb. 24.

Here is the complete shortlist:

Austria, "Amour," Michael Haneke, director

Canada, "War Witch," Kim Nguyen, director

Chile, "No," Pablo Larraín, director

Denmark, "A Royal Affair," Nikolaj Arcel, director

France, "The Intouchables," Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano, directors

Iceland, "The Deep," Baltasar Kormákur, director

Norway, "Kon-Tiki," Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg, directors

Romania, "Beyond the Hills," Cristian Mungiu, director

Switzerland, "Sister," Ursula Meier, director

The best foreign language film award has been celebrating such films since 1947. Beginning with the 20^th annual event, non-English films were been brought into the mainstream in American culture, lending a different perspective on the types of films available.

The 26^th annual Academy Awards in 1953 was the only year since the category's creation to not have a winner or contenders.