Paolo Sorrentino's The Hand of God is among the 15 movies to have made the shortlist for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar.
On February 8 it will be announced whether the picture has actually been nominated for the Academy Awards, with the ceremony taking place on March 27.
The semi-autobiographical coming of age tale in a Naples 'redeemed' by soccer great Diego Maradona has also been nominated for the best foreign film Golden Globe.
Sorrentino won the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar in 2013 with The Great Beauty.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA