Kim Nguyen’s film was funded by the Canada Feature Film Fund, produced by Pierre Even and Marie-Claude Poulin of Item 7 and distributed in Quebec by Métropole Films. Tribeca Films holds US rights. Telefilm Canada made the announcement on Tuesday (18).

War Witch (Rebelle) screened in official competition at the Berlinale earlier this year and earned a Silver Bear for best actress for Congolese actress Rachel Mwanza and a special mention from the ecumenical jury. It won best narrative feature and best actress in Tribeca.

The film depicts the world of child soldiers and shot entirely on location in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic Of Congo.

“Over the last two years, Canada has performed exceptionally well in the competition for the celebrated best foreign language film Oscar, with three nominated films – Monsieur Lazhar, Incendies and In Darkness,” said Telefilm Canada executive director Carolle Brabant.

“We are proud that Kim Nguyen’s War Witch, which has been sold in more than 25 territories, is representing Canada and we are confident that it will win over the members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.”

Telefilm Canada coordinates and chairs the pan-Canadian Oscar selection committee comprising 22 voting members.