Online now, in print on Monday, Variety has a number of stories up regarding global competition this awards season.

Kicking things off, Karen Idelson digs into the success of foreign helmers and the notion that they bring their overseas clout with them in translation.

Lawrence Christon, meanwhile, talks the "internationalization of cinema," and specifically, the diversity in casting decisions we've witnessed in recent years.

There's also a couple of photo galleries and contender profiles galore.  Give it a look!