B次元官网网址淓ternal Spring,B次元官网网址� an animated documentary about religious persecution in China, will be CanadaB次元官网网址檚 contender for a nomination in the Best International Feature Film category at next yearB次元官网网址檚 Academy Awards.

Telefilm Canada announced Wednesday that it would submit Jason LoftusB次元官网网址檚 film for consideration in the category formerly called Best Foreign Language Film, a move the filmmaker hopes will draw further attention to human rights abuses in China.

The movie tells the story of the banned spiritual group Falun Gong, who were targeted by police raids after a faction of members hacked into a state TV signal in 2002 in an effort to correct the record about their practice.

The comic book illustrator Daxiong, a Falun Gong practitioner, was forced to flee to North America, and initially blamed the hijacking for worsening the groupB次元官网网址檚 violent repression. He changes his mind after meeting the only known surviving hacker to escape China.

The Mandarin-language film combines present-day footage and 3D animation inspired by DaxiongB次元官网网址檚 art.

B次元官网网址淚t felt deeply rewarding to be able to carry on, with these people, the story that they werenB次元官网网址檛 able to get to share widely,B次元官网网址� Loftus said in a virtual press conference announcing the selection. B次元官网网址淪ome people suffered so much or are no longer with us.B次元官网网址�

He said spotlighting wrongdoing in China can be risky for a filmmaker. The Chinese government is a powerful player in business, and Loftus said some festivals have opted not to screen B次元官网网址淓ternal SpringB次元官网网址� because of it.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a whole lot of people who really feel strongly that the stories are important to tell,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淧erhaps even because they are sensitive, itB次元官网网址檚 even more important to tell them.B次元官网网址�

A pan-Canadian selection committee of 20 members from various government agencies and film industry associations chose the movie.

ItB次元官网网址檚 the first time Canada will submit an animated feature, a documentary and a Mandarin-language film for consideration, said Telefilm Canada CEO Christa Dickenson.

B次元官网网址淚t really shows where stories are going, and the type of creators and stories that Canada and the system is supporting,B次元官网网址� she said.

The Academy accepts only one submission in the category from each country for consideration. If selected, B次元官网网址淓ternal SpringB次元官网网址� would become the ninth Canadian movie to receive an Oscar nomination in the category.

Only one B次元官网网址� Denys ArcandB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址淟es Invasions barbaresB次元官网网址� B次元官网网址� has ever won, in 2004.

B次元官网网址淓ternal SpringB次元官网网址� has already played at several festivals, and will hit Canadian theatres across Canada on Sept. 23 B次元官网网址� a condition of eligibility in the multistage Oscars race.

The Academy will release a short list of 15 films on Dec. 21, and the nominees will be announced Jan. 24.

The Oscars ceremony is set for March 12.

B次元官网网址擭icole Thompson, The Canadian Press