Oscar Foreign Language Film Award renamed Int'l Feature Film Award

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Tuesday that the Foreign Language Film category name of the Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, has been changed to International Feature Film.

"We have noted that the reference to 'Foreign' is outdated within the global filmmaking community," said Larry Karaszewski and Diane Weyermann, co-chairs of the International Feature Film Committee of the Academy in a statement about the rule changes and updates for the 92nd Academy Awards.

"We believe that International Feature Film better represents this category, and promotes a positive and inclusive view of filmmaking, and the art of film as a universal experience," they added.

The Academy noted that the category name change does not change any existing category rules, the submission process, or eligibility requirements.

An international feature film is defined as a feature-length motion picture produced outside the United States with a predominantly non-English dialogue track, according to the Academy.

Animated and documentary feature films are permitted to compete in the category. In addition, the shortlist for the award is expanding to ten films from this year's nine films.

The 92nd Oscars will be held on Feb. 9, 2020 at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood in the western U.S. state of California.