Belarusian documentary about female prison to compete for Oscar

At this year's Oscars, Belarus will be represented by the documentary film "Debut", directed by Anastasia Mirashnichenka in 2017, TUT.by reports as per to the National Oscar Committee.

Secretary of the Belarusian Oscar Committee, producer Valery Dzmitrachenka, said that only three applications had been filed. In addition to the film "Debut," there were films "Inside Oneself" by Syarhei Talibau and "Kadish" by Kanstantsin Fam.

"Our committee has decided that at the Oscar's Belarus will be represented by the documentary film "Debut" which tells about a theater in a female secure facility. The film is to be nominated in the category "Best Foreign Film," said Dzmitrachenka.

According to the selection regulations, it was necessary to submit a full-length feature film, documentary or animated film lasting at least 40 minutes. The original dialogues, as well as the finished film, should be mainly in Belarusian or Russian. The film was to be released for commercial distribution from October 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019 and screened for at least 7 consecutive days.

The 92nd Oscar Award Ceremony will be held on 9 February 2020 in Los Angeles.