Almodovar, Zambrano and Villaronga Shortlisted by Spanish Academy as Candidates for Awards Season

MADRID - Pedro Almodovar's The Skin I live In, Benito Zambrano's The Sleeping Voice and Agusti Villaronga's Black Bread have been shortlisted by Spain's Film Academy as the three finalists for the spot as Spain's contender for the Oscar for foreign film.

"The selection demonstrates once again the variety within the Spanish film industry," Almodovar said in a statement. "We represent three very different options, although two of them are about the [Spanish] Civil War, they are told from very different perspectives and esthetics. "

Almodovar, who said he felt "in very good company" with the other films, said "we will enjoy these two weeks of good fortune. The Skin I live In  is the most favored in the short term since it is presently in theaters and can also be seen in the U.S. within one month."

Sony Pictures Classics will release Skin in the U.S. on Oct. 14.

The Spanish academy will announce the final candidate, which will represent Spain for the Oscar and the Ariel awards, on Sept. 28.