Armenian film excluded from Oscar shortlist

The Armenian drama “If Only Everyone …” has fallen short of a further bid for an Oscar award.

Nine films are now on the Academy’s shortlist for the Best Foreign Language Film nomination, media sources say.

A total of seventy-one films had initially placed bids for the award.

“If Only Everyone …” sheds light on the Nagorno-Karabakh war and its consequences, featuring the personal drama of a Russian-Armenian girl.

Azerbaijan had earlier raised a wave of hysteria over the film, complaining that it distorts what it claims to be the true history.

The following nine films have advanced for the next round of the nomination”: "Amour" (Germany, France and Austria), "A Royal Affair" (Sweden), "The Intouchables" (Frace), "A Royal Affair" (Denmark, UK, Norway), “War Witch” (Canada), “No” (Chile), “Beyond the Hills” (Romania), “Deep” (Iceland) and “Sister” (Switzerland).

The Academy will select five of the nominees after watching each film between January 4 and 6.

The award ceremony is due on February 25.