Rosi's documentary on Lampedusa immigration crisis is Italian Oscar contender.

Gianfranco Rosi's documentary film Fuocoammare will represent Italy in the best foreign language film category at the 2017 Academy Awards in Los Angeles next February.

The film was chosen as Italy's Oscar contender on 26 September, ahead of six other Italian films, by the national movie industry association ANICA.

Translating into English as "Fire at Sea", Fuocoammare was filmed during the period Rosi spent on the Italian island of Lampedusa after the tragedy that took the lives of over 360 migrants and refugees who drowned off its coast in 2013.

In February this year Rosi's film was awarded the Golden Bear, the highest prize of Berlin’s film festival.

The films that Fuocoammare beat to receive Oscar contention were: Gli Ultimi Saranno gli Ultimi by Massimiliano Bruno; Indivisibili by Edoardo De Angelis; Lo Chiamavano Jeeg Robot by Gabriele Mainetti; Perfetti Sconosciuti by Paolo Genovese; Pericle il Nero by Stefano Mordini; and Suburra by Stefano Sollima.

Fuocoammare will be screened on Italian television station Rai Tre on 3 October, to mark the national day in remembrance of the victims of immigration.

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