"Flor de Azucar" has been selected to represent Dominican Republic at the Oscars. The film is directed by Fernando Baez and marks the ninth time the Latin American country submits a film to the Oscars.

"Flor de Azucar" is also the second Latin American country that submits a film this year. The first was Cuba with the festival hit "The Companion." Countries that have yet to announce include Brazil, Chile, Argentina and Colombia.

"Flor de Azucar" tells the story of a young peasant who is forced to flee for killing involuntarily an abusive guard. After an entire year hiding in a remote fishing island, he decides to return to his countryside and reunite with his wife and daughters. The movie was released in July in the Dominican Republic but has not received worldwide distribution.

The Dominican Republic began submitting films in 1983 but has not been consistent and has not been nominated. Last year the country submitted the LGBT drama "Sand Dollars" starring Geraldine Chaplin. The film screened at the Toronto Film Festival and Miami Film Festivals.

Every year numerous countries submit films to the Academy of Motion Picture, Arts and Sciences to compete for the Foreign Language Category. Among the top contenders this year include Cannes competition films "Toni Erdmann," Pedro Almodovar's "Julieta," and "Sieranevada." Other contenders include Venice Film Festival winner "From Afar," Tribeca Film Festival darling "El Clasico and Karlovy Vary Selections "House of Others" and "Kills on Wheels."

In recent years the Academy has awarded "Son of Saul," "Ida," "The Great Beauty," and "A Separation" the best foreign language film of the year.

The deadline to submit for the foreign language category is Oct. 3. On Jan. 17 the Academy will announce the nine finalists from among the eligible films and on Jan. 24 nominations will be announced. The winner will be announced at the Oscar ceremony on Feb. 26, 2017.

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