Italy has released a list of 21 films in contention for selection to represent the country at the 91st Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film. Among the list are internationally-acclaimed films such as metaphysical thriller Naples in Veils by Turkish-Italian director Ferzan Özpetek, Alice Rohrwacher’s fascinating drama Happy as Lazzaro and Francesco Falaschi’s heartfelt all-Tuscan comedy As Needed, all of which are currently screening in Australia as part of the Lavazza Italian Film Festival.

The candidate to represent Italy will be announced on Tuesday, September 25. The deadline for submissions for Best Foreign Language Film candidates is Monday, October 1. The Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film has been presented annually to a feature film produced outside the US that contains primarily non-English dialogue since the award was created in 1956.