Pakistan's Saawan doesn't make the cut for Oscars 2018

Nine films have been finalised for the Oscar nominations for Best Film In A Foreign Language, and Pakistan has not made the cut.

Variety reports that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has finalised films submitted by Chile, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Lebanon, Russia, Senegal, South Africa and Sweden.

The competitors are:

A Fantastic Woman (Chile)

In the Fade (Germany)

On Body and Soul (Hungary)

Foxtrot (Israel)

The Insult (Lebanon)

Loveless (Russia)

Félicité (Senegal)

The Wound (South Africa)

The Square (Sweden)

High-profile films like Angelina Jolie's First They Killed My father and Robin Campillo's prize-winning BPM (Beats Per Minute) have been omitted from the race. BPM's awards include the New York Film Critics Circle and the Los Angeles Film Critics Assn.

Pakistan had submitted Farhan Alam's Saawan for Oscar consideration this year.

Saawan, based on the true story of a disabled child, has gotten much critical acclaim. The film has earned awards like 'Best Foreign Language Feature Film' at the Madrid International Film Festival 2017, Best Film and Best Director at the Social World Film Festival 2017 in Italy and Best Foreign Film award at the Alexandria Film Festival in Virginia, USA. Looks like Pakistan will have to up its game even more next year!

The final five nominations will be revealed alongside all other Oscar nominations on Tuesday, January 23, 2018.