Alpha dropped from Oscar race

Nasiruddin Yousuff’s Alpha has been dropped from the Oscar race. The film didn't make to the final short list of International Feature Film in the 92nd Academy Awards.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced shortlists in consideration for the Oscars in nine categories on Monday. 

 Ninety-one films including Alpha competed in the foreign language film category. Earlier in September, Federation of Film Societies and Oscars Preview Committee selected Alpha to represent Bangladesh in the 92nd Academy Awards.

Story of Alpha revolves around the life of a rickshaw painter who lives in the outskirts of Dhaka. He struggles to nourish his artistic aspirations amidst chaotic circumstances thrust upon him. 

The lead cast of the film features Alamgir Kabir in the lead role along with Doyel Mash, ATM Shamsuzzaman, Mostafizur Noor Imran and Heera Chowdhury. 

The film was released in Bangladesh in April and also screened at the SAARC Film Festival in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The next Oscars will be presented on February 9, 2020 at Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, USA.

International Feature Film nominees 

Czech Republic, The Painted Bird
Estonia, Truth and Justice
France, Les Misérables
Hungary, Those Who Remained
North Macedonia, Honeyland
Poland, Corpus Christi
Russia, Beanpole
Senegal, Atlantics
South Korea, Parasite
 Spain, Pain and Glory