Kenya Submits ‘The Letter’ for International Oscar Race (EXCLUSIVE)

Christopher Vourlias Vadim Perelman’s “Persian Lessons” will represent Belarus in the best international feature film race at the 2021 Oscars, Variety has learned.The WWII drama, which world premiered in the Panorama strand of the Berlin Film Festival this year, stars Nahuel Perez Biscayart (“Beats Per Minute”) as a Belgian Jew who narrowly avoids execution by a Nazi firing squad when he claims to be Persian.

Gracie McGraw is “gone with the wind fabulous,” just like Kenya Moore! Tim McGraw and Faith Hill‘s 23-year-old daughter took inspiration from Kenya’s iconic catchphrase — and the twirls that accompanied it — from The Real Housewives of Atlanta, which Kenya had used as a clapback in a fight with co-star Porsha Williams (who took a jab at her older age).

Malayalam-language action thriller Jallikattu has been selected by the Film Federation of India to represent the country in this year’s International Oscar race.

The Irish Film & Television Academy is sending Tom Sullivan’s Arracht as its entry to the 2021 International Oscar race.

Clayton Davis This awards season could showcase possibly one of the most diverse group of contenders ever. A record-breaking number of women are directing and writing films; Tara Miele among them with her cerebral drama “Wander Darkly,” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentKaouther Ben Hania’s “The Man Who Sold His Skin” will represent Tunisia in the Oscar race for best international feature film.The movie world premiered at Venice where it won the best actor award for Yahya Mahayni.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentFilippo Meneghetti’s feature debut “Two of Us” will represent France in the race for the best international feature film award at the Oscars.“Two of Us” was selected over Maiwenn’s “DNA,” François Ozon’s “Summer 85,” Fanny Liatard and Jérémy Trouilh’s “Gagarine” and Maïmouna Doucouré’s “Cuties” which were short-listed.“Two of Us” was released in France on Feb. 12 and was represented in international markets by The Party Film Sales.

Global streaming giant Netflix has partnered with the Realness Institute to create an Episodic Content Development Lab for writers in South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria. The South Africa-based non-profit organization, which focuses on supporting the development of African content and its creators, said on Thursday that it would open submissions for the lab at the end of November.

Tom Grater International Film ReporterMaite Alberdi’s documentary The Mole Agent will represent Chile in the International Oscar race this year.The film debuted at Sundance back in January. It follows a private investigator in Chile who hires someone to work as a mole at a retirement home where a client of his suspects the caretakers of elder abuse.

Andreas Wiseman International EditorEXCLUSIVE: Origin Pictures’ David Thompson, producer of Catherine The Great, The Woman In Gold and Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom, is teaming with Sixth Sense Productions’ Richard Harding (The First Grader) on feature sports biopic Tether, about celebrated blind athlete Henry Wanyoike.The film will tell the remarkable story of the promising Kenyan runner who was struck blind after complications from a mild stroke at just 21.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentThomas Vinterberg’s award-winning drama “Another Round” has been selected as Denmark’s submission in the Oscars’ international feature film category.Produced by Zentropa, “Another Round” follows four weary high school teachers experimenting with the liberating effects of alcohol. The movie was part of Cannes’ 2020 Official Selection and had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Tom Grater International Film ReporterPop the champagne – the Danish Film Institute is sending Thomas Vinterberg’s Another Round to the 2021 International Oscar race.The pic stars Mads Mikkelsen as one of a group of high school teachers who test a theory that they will improve their lives by maintaining a constant level of alcohol in their blood.

Kenya Moore is “feeling confident” after she recently admitted to losing seven pounds of quarantine weight. The Real Housewives of Atlanta star took to Instagram on Nov. 14 to share a new snapshot of herself looking fit and trim! A source close to the 49-year-old Bravo star spoke EXCLUSIVELY with HollywoodLife and revealed how Kenya feels since shedding the pounds.

Patrick Hipes Executive Managing EditorThe Mexican Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences have chosen Fernando Frías de la Parra’s I’m No Longer Here as Mexico’s official entry for the International Feature Film Oscar race.The pic centers on the young leader (Juan Daniel Garcia Trevino) of a small Monterrey street gang from the Cholombiano subculture who longs for home after being forced to move to Jackson Heights, Queens, after an altercation with a local cartel.

Kenya Moore, 49, is looking gorgeous and fit in her latest Instagram pic! The Real Housewives of Atlanta star, who recently admitted to losing seven pounds of quarantine weight, took to Instagram on Nov. 14 to share a new snapshot of herself posing with her cousin Che Moore while also thanking her for being a part of her two-year-old daughter Brooklyn‘s recent birthday party in the caption.