Bujar Alimani's "Chromium" has been selected to represent Albania at the Oscars. The film tells the story of a 15-year-old boy's search for independence. In the film the boy attempts to to pull away from his mute mother.

"Chromium" made its world premiere last year at the Karlovy vary Film Festival where it played in the East of West sidebar and later went on to play at the Hamburg Film Festival. The film was later released in Albania in 2015.

The film represents the second time that a film by Alimani is submitted to the Academy awards. Back in 2011 his film "Amnesty" was submitted but it failed to make the January shortlist and therefore did not get nominated.

Albania has been submitting since 1996 but has never been nominated for the Oscar. Last year the country submitted "Bota," a film that premiered at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival where it won the best Director award.

"Chromium" could be the first time Albania gets nominated but first it has to compete against front-runners "Desierto," "Neruda" and "From Afar." It will also have to compete against "Death in Sarajevo," "Letters from War," "On the Other Side." "Toni Erdman," "Julietta," and "The Happiest Day in the Life of the Olli Maki'

The Academy is known for choosing some of the most critically acclaimed films out of the festival circuit. Most films that win have distribution deals lined up out festivals and have buzz from the beginning of awards season. Recently "Son of Saul," "Ida," "The Great Beauty," and "A Separation" won the Best Foreign language category.

The deadline to submit for the foreign language category is Oct. 3. On Jan. 17 the Academy will announce the nine finalists from among the eligible films and on Jan. 24 nominations will be announced. The winner will be announced at the Oscar ceremony on Feb. 26, 2017.