David Friend, The Canadian Press
Posted Wednesday, December 21, 2022 9:38 PM EST
TORONTO – Canada’s bid for Best International Feature Film has been eliminated from competition at next year’s Oscars.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the shortlist of films that will advance to the next round of voting in the category and “Eternal Spring” is not on it.
Jason Loftus’ animated documentary about religious persecution in China was this year’s submission for Canada.
‘Eternal Spring’ tells the story of the banned spiritual group Falun Gong, which was targeted by police raids after a faction of members hijacked a state television signal in an effort to correct the record on their practice. .
The Mandarin language film was produced by Telefilm Canada and was the first animated feature film submitted by the country.
The Academy accepts only one submission from each country for consideration in Best International Feature Film. It says 92 countries and regions were eligible in the category this year.
Overall, Oscar shortlists were announced for 10 categories and other Canadian films advanced in their respective categories.
The National Film Board’s ‘The Flying Sailor’, inspired by the events of the 1917 Halifax Explosion, is still up for a potential nomination for Best Animated Short. The film is by duo Wendy Tilby and Amanda Forbis.
Toronto filmmaker Sarah Polley’s “Women Talking” was shortlisted for the Best Original Score nomination.
And David Cronenberg’s “Crimes of the Future” is also among the films still in the running for a nomination for Best Makeup and Best Hairstyle.
Of the 15 tracks that advanced in the Best Original Song contest, two involved big stars from Toronto. The Weeknd’s “Nothing Is Lost (You Give Me Strength)” from “Avatar: The Way of Water” is among the potential contenders while Drake co-wrote on Giveon’s “Time” from “Amsterdam.”
Oscar nominations for all categories will be announced on January 24.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on December 21, 2022.
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