TheAustralian Film Commission has selected Rolf de Heerand Peter Djigirr's Ten Canoes as the country's submission for the Best ForeignLanguage Oscar.

De Heer wrote the film in collaboration with the people of Ramingining, a community of Yolngupeople in Central Arnhem Land, Northern Territory.The project is the first feature to be shot entirely in an Australian Aboriginallanguage, Ganalbingu.
Ten Canoes stars Crusoe Kurddal, Jamie Gulpilil, Richard Birrinbirrin, Peter Mingylulu andFrances Djulibing, and is narrated by David Gulpilil. The story is about a man who covets one of hisbrother's wives and is taught lessons from the mythical past.

De Heer and Julie Ryan produced for Vertigo Productions withSue Murray, Domenico Procacciand Bryce Menzies as executive producers.

The filmwon the jury prize in Cannes Un Certain Regard, openedthe Sydney Film Festival and will screen at the Toronto International FilmFestival.

TheVertigo/Fandango Australia production was financed by the Film FinanceCorporation, the South Australian Film Corporation, the Adelaide Film Festival,and SBS Independent, and supported by Bula'bula ArtsAboriginal Corporation. Wild Bunch is handling international sales.