The UK has submitted Asif Kapadia's Hindi language film The Warrior as its official entry in the best foreign language film category at the Academy Awards.

It is the first time the UK has submitted a film to the Oscars whose language is not indigenous to the UK. In 2000, Welsh language film Solomon and Gaenor went forward as the UK entry for the foreign language category, while Hedd Wyn competed in 1993.

Written and directed by Kapadia (and co-written by Tim Miller), the film is a mythical adventure about a lone warrior's spiritual from the deserts of Rajasthan to the mountains of the Himalayas.

Produced by Bertrand Faivre (The Bureau) and financed by Film Four, British Screen and Senator and distributed by Film Four International, it has sold to Miramax in the US.

Duncan Kenworthy, chair of BAFTA's Film Committee which made the selection, commented: "We are delighted that the UK will be represented by a film as remarkable as The Warrior at next year's Oscar ceremony. This has been a great year for British films not in the English language and The Warrior beat off some tough competition."