'Outdated' Oscar category for best foreign language film renamed

The Oscar category of best foreign language film has been renamed international feature film, the academy said in a statement late on Tuesday.

‘We have noted that the reference to 'Foreign' is outdated within the global filmmaking community,’ the International Feature Film Committee's co-chairs Larry Karaszewski and Diane Weyermann said in a statement.

‘We believe that International Feature Film better represents this category, and promotes a positive and inclusive view of filmmaking, and the art of film as a universal experience.’  The Academy clarified that the none of the existing category rules nor eligibility requirements were changing, however the shortlist for the prize will be extended to ten films.

 The changes will be effective starting with the 92nd award ceremony.

Notable winners of the best foreign language film Oscar, which was introduced in 1957, are Roberto Benigni's ‘La Vita e' bella’ (Life is Beautiful), Luis Bunuel ‘Le charme discret de la bourgeoisie’ (The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie) and Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck's ‘Das Leben der Anderen’ (The Lives of Others).