South African drama Tsotsi won last year's foreign film Oscar

They include the former Soviet republics of Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan, who have received their first invites this year.

A recent rule change means that films entered for the award need no longer be in the country's official language.

The 2007 Oscars will be handed out on during a ceremony at Hollywood's Kodak Theatre on 25 February.

Dominant language

Since 1956, 102 different countries have submitted films to the foreign language competition.

South African film Tsotsi won the 2006 Oscar for best foreign film in March, beating titles from France, Germany, Italy and the Palestinian Territories.

Only one picture will be accepted from each country and must be submitted to the Academy by 2 October.

Under the new rules, announced last week, submitted films do not have to be in the country's official language as long as the dominant language is not English.