Crouching Tiger won four Oscars in 2001

Each country can submit one film, and the 51 entrants will be whittled down to five that will be nominated for the award.

Other tips for the prize, to be handed out at the Academy Awards ceremony in March, include Indian epic Lagaan and Dark Blue World by Czech director Jan Sverak.

The United Kingdom entry is Welsh-language film Oed Yr Addewid - or Do Not Go Gentle - which is described as a tragicomedy about an old man whose odd behaviour begins to affect his family.

Judges will start watching the films at the end of November before deciding which five productions will be formally nominated for the Oscar.

Rush

"I'm always glad to see new countries coming in," awards co-ordinator Patrick Stockstill told the Hollywood Reporter.

"But it does create that LA freeway, rush-hour block of trying to get screenings scheduled.

Recent winners

2001 - Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Taiwan) 2000 - All About My Mother (Spain) 1999 - Life Is Beautiful (Italy) 1998 - Character (Netherlands) 1997 - Kolya (Czech Republic)

"That's my biggest problem - but it's a happy problem."

Nominees in the foreign language section are also eligible for other awards.

In 1999, Roberto Benigni's La Vita � Bella, or Life Is Beautiful, won the foreign prize and was also nominated for Best Picture.

Last year, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon added the foreign statuette to three other Oscars.

Offbeat comedy Amelie, directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, has been mentioned as another foreign language film that could also enjoy wider Oscar success.

Rain Man and Galaxy Quest producer Mark Johnson will head the Foreign Language Film Award Committee that will choose the five nominees, to be unveiled on 12 February.

The Academy Award winners will be announced at the most prestigious ceremony of the film industry's year, in Los Angeles, on 24 March.