{"id":142570,"date":"2023-08-24T15:14:45","date_gmt":"2023-08-24T19:14:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/telefilm.ca\/?p=142570"},"modified":"2026-06-15T15:15:30","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T19:15:30","slug":"rojek-is-canadas-choice-in-the-race-for-best-international-feature-film-at-the-2024-oscars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/telefilm.ca\/en\/rojek-is-canadas-choice-in-the-race-for-best-international-feature-film-at-the-2024-oscars","title":{"rendered":"ROJEK is Canada\u2019s Choice in the race for Best International Feature Film at the 2024 Oscars\u00ae\u202f\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
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MONTR\u00c9AL \u2013 ROJEK<\/em>\u202fis representing Canada in the nomination process for\u202fBest International Feature Film at the\u202f96th<\/sup> Academy Awards\u00ae<\/sup>, to be held on\u202fMarch 10, 2024.\u202fThe film is\u202fdirected and written by\u202fZayn\u00ea Akyol,<\/strong> and produced by\u202fAudrey-Ann Dupuis-Pierre, Sylvain Corbeil, and Zayn\u00ea Akyol of Metafilms<\/strong>. It is being distributed in Canada by Maison 4:3 and in the United States by Icarus Films.\u202f International sales are handled by Andana Films.\u202f\u202f<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“In what may have been Canada\u2019s most competitive year ever, ROJEK<\/em> was selected by a jury of industry peers as the film to best represent Canada in the Oscar\u00ae<\/sup> race,” said\u202fJulie Roy<\/strong>, Executive Director\u202fand CEO, Telefilm Canada. \u201cThis announcement marks the beginning of an incredible journey and a one-of-a-kind opportunity for ROJEK<\/em> to reach audiences around the world and give them just a taste of the quality of filmmaking that Canada has to offer. We wish Zayn\u00ea, Metafilms, and the entire creative team all the best of luck as they move forward.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Being chosen to represent Canada at the Oscars\u00ae<\/sup> with ROJEK<\/em> is a tremendous honour,\u201d said Zayn\u00ea Akyol<\/strong>, director, writer, and producer. \u201cI would like to express my deep gratitude to the pan-Canadian selection committee for this recognition. Also, a sincere thank you to my dedicated team, who continually pushed the boundaries of creativity and excellence. This moment is the fruit of our shared passion and unwavering commitment to cinema and justice.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The documentary is told in a mix of Arabic, English, French, and Kurdish. It opened in Canadian theatres on January 20, 2023, and is available for rental on all major platforms.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ROJEK<\/em>\u202fpremiered at\u202fthe 2022 Visions du R\u00e9el Film Festival in Nyon, Switzerland. It has screened at festivals around the world, including winning the DGC Special Jury Prize – Canadian Feature Documentary at the 2022 Hot Docs Canadian International Film Festival.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the appointed non-voting chair of the committee, Telefilm Canada organizes the annual pan-Canadian Selection Committee for Canada\u2019s submission to the Best International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards\u00ae<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The vote was determined by a pan-Canadian committee of industry organizations and guilds, as well as filmmakers and industry professionals appointed to represent organizations. Overall, 28 films were submitted for consideration as Canada\u2019s Choice this year. The committee met the morning of August 24 to select the film.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far,\u202fseven countries have submitted their entries for the Best International Feature Film category. Last year,\u202f93\u202fcountries submitted a film.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key dates:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n