Although a Los Angeles theatrical release is not required for eligibility for the Best Foreign Language Film Award itself , it is a prerequisite for consideration for Academy Awards in other categories . In the past , this had enabled some foreign language films to receive nominations over multiple years , the most recent case being that of the Italian comedy-drama '' Amarcord '' ( 1973 ) . Because such films were still unreleased in Los Angeles when they were submitted to the Academy , they could only be nominated in the Foreign Language Film category . However , upon their Los Angeles release , they became eligible for other Academy Awards , and often ended up receiving nominations in various categories one year after their initial Foreign Language Film nomination . Presently , such nominations over multiple years are no longer possible since the current rules of the Academy unambiguously state that : " Films nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film Award shall not be eligible for Academy Awards consideration in any category in any subsequent Awards year . " This restriction , however , does not apply to submitted films that were not selected as nominees . The Brazilian film '' City of God '' ( 2002 ) was thus able to receive four Academy Award nominations for the 2003 Academy Awards , even though it had failed to garner a Foreign Language Film nomination as Brazil 's official submission for the 2002 Academy Awards
2003 Academy Awards
76th Academy Awards
List of foreign-language films nominated for Academy Awards