"Tanna" has been selected as Australia's official selection for the Academy Awards. Directed by Martin Butler and Bentley Dean, the film made its world premiere last year at the Venice Film Festival where it picked up the audience award and later went on to screen at the London Film Festival.

"Tanna" is the 10th submission for the country and hopes to become the first nominated film. The film is likely to get buzz with its U.S theatrical release in September and if it obtains a great box office the academy is likely to notice the film.

Australia has not submitted frequently due to the fact that the country's first language is English and the Foreign Language Film category disqualifies films that are abundant with English. Australia came close to its first nomination back in 2009 when "Samson and Delilah" made the January shortlist. However, that film, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, was not nominated.

Last year Australia submitted "Arrows of the Thunder Dragon." However, that film had very little buzz and did not get much attention at the festival circuit.

Every year multiple countries submit films to compete in the Foreign Language category. A number of high profile films have already been submitted including Golden Lion winner "From Afar" from Venezuela and Cannes Film Festival selection "Sieranevada" from Romania.

Last year Hungary took home its second Oscar for "Son of Saul" by Laszlo Nemes. That film, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, competed against 81 other countries. Other recent winners to take home the award include Poland's "Ida," Italy's "The Great Beauty" and Austria's "Amour."

The deadline for submissions is Oct. 3 with the Academy announcing a list of eligible films later that month. On Jan. 17 the Academy will announce the nine finalists from among the eligible films. Nominations will be announced on Jan. 24 and the winner will be announced at the Oscar ceremony on Feb. 26, 2017.

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