Taiwan has chosen Chen Yu-hsun's drama "A Foggy Tale" as its submission for Best International Feature Film at next year's Academy Awards, a boost for a film already sweeping local prizes.

• The Ministry of Culture picked the film by majority vote over six other contenders.
• The story is set during Taiwan's White Terror years in the 1950s, using heavy fog as a stand-in for the mood of the time.
• It follows ordinary people trying to survive a brutal stretch of history, which judges called both distinctly Taiwanese and universal.
• The film already took four top prizes at the Golden Horse Awards and five at the Taipei Film Awards this year.
• It has played festivals in Italy, Hong Kong, San Diego and Singapore, building the overseas exposure an Oscar run needs.

Outlook: The Academy Awards ceremony is set for March 14 next year, with the nomination shortlist the next hurdle.