Record 95 nations invited to Oscar race

Academy mails foreign language entry forms

By JOHN YOUNG

A record 95 countries have been invited to vie for Oscar glory in the foreign-language film competish at the 80th Academy Awards, set for Feb. 24 at the Kodak Theater.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences sent out the category's entry forms on Friday. To be eligible a pic must open in the submitting country between Oct. 1, 2006, and Sept. 30, 2007, and must play in a commercial theater for seven consecutive days.

Entry forms and film prints are due to the Acad by Oct. 1. Each country may submit only one film.

Germany's "The Lives of Others" took home the prize last year.