Peru has selected "Videophilia (and Other Viral Syndromes)" to represent the country at the Academy Awards. Directed by Juan Daniel F. Molero, the film tells the story of a teenage misfit who spends her first days out of school slacking and experimenting with drugs and cybersex

The movie premiered at the Rotterdam International Film Festival where it won the Tiger award and later went on to play at the Queer Lisboa, T-Mobile New Horizons International Film Festival and the Lima Film Festivals. The movie has been released in the Spain and Peru but has yet to receive U.S distribution.

Peru's history with the Academy dates back to 1967 when the country began submitting. The country submitted regularly and finally obtained its first nomination in 2009 for "The Milk of Sorrow." Directed by Claudia Llosa, the movie received the Golden Bear at the Berlinale Film Festival and later played in Bogota, Guadalajara, and Lima Film Festivals. Olive Films distributed it in the U.S.

Last year the country submitted "NN" by Hector Galvez but it did not resonate with the Academy or with international audiences.

"Videophilia" is an interesting choice for this year as it deals with addiction, a topic that has been present in the U.S presidential election. However, it will be interesting to see how it fairs against such heavyweight Latin American films such "Alias Maria" "Desierto," "Neruda" and "From Afar." It will also have to compete against "Death in Sarajevo," "Letters from War," "On the Other Side." "Toni Erdman," "Julietta," and "The Happiest Day in the Life of the Olli Maki'

The Academy is known for choosing some of the most critically acclaimed films out of the festival circuit. Recently "Son of Saul," "Ida," "The Great Beauty," and "A Separation" won the Best Foreign language category.

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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