Israeli film "Footnote" has inched its way closer to an Oscar. The film, from "Beaufort" director Joseph Cedar, explores a father-son rivalry in the contentious world of Israeli academia. It was among nine films short-listed for the Best Foreign Film nomination, which will be announced, along with the other categories' nominees, next week. In September, "Footnote" took the Ophir Award -- the Israeli equivalent of the Oscar -- for best picture, as well as eight other trophies. The Israeli Ophir winner is always then automatically submitted for consideration for a Best Foreign Film nod from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Cedar has had an excellent run with "Footnote." The film took the Best Screenplay award in May at the Cannes International Film Festival, and was snapped up by Sony Pictures Classics for North American distribution. Nevertheless, there is intense competition for the five coveted slots on the Foreign Film nominations list. Among the films who made the shortlist is Iran's "A Separation" from writer-director Asghar Farhadi, which won the Golden Globe for best foreign language film last weekend and has been racking up kudos from critics groups nationwide. Also on the list is German Director Wim Wenders' "Pina," a 3-D tribute to the career of groundbreaking choreographer Pina Bausch, which is also on the shortlist for best documentary feature. The other contenders are: Belgium's "Bullhead," Canada's "Monsieur Lazhar," Denmark's "Superclasico," Morocco's, "Omar Killed Me," Poland's "In Darkness" and Taiwan's "Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale." Oscar nominations will be announced Tuesday, with the ceremony set for Feb. 26.
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