In a thrilling move for Italian cinema, Italy has officially submitted Matteo Garrone's "Io Capitano" as its contender for the Best International Film category at the upcoming 96th Academy Awards.

This timely drama delves into the harrowing journey of two Senegalese teenagers as they embark on a dangerous quest to reach Europe, navigating the unforgiving terrain of the Sahara desert and the treacherous waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

The world premiere of "Io Capitano" unfolded to widespread critical acclaim during the competition at the Venice Film Festival. The film secured the Best Director award for Garrone and garnered accolades for its co-star Seydou Sarr, who received the Best Young Star award. Claudia Cravotta was honored as the Best Production Director.

A glowing review from Deadline, originating from the Venice Film Festival, paints "Io Capitano" as a "blisteringly topical drama," marking it as potentially Garrone's magnum opus in a filmography that boasts notable titles like "Gomorrah," "Tale of Tales," and "Dogman."

The decision to submit "Io Capitano" as Italy's entry for the prestigious award was made by a dedicated committee overseen by the Italian cinema organization Anica.

The committee's distinguished members, including Alessandro Araimo, Domizia De Rosa, Esmeralda Calabria, Daniela Ciancio, Francesca Lo Schiavo, Giorgio Moroder, Cristiana Paternò, Michele Placido, Paola Randi, Riccardo Tozzi, and Gianpiero Tulelli, jointly expressed their choice, citing the film's exceptional ability to "embody with great power and cinematic mastery the universal desire to seek freedom and happiness."

"Io Capitano" embarked on its theatrical journey in Italy with a grand release on September 7, gracing 200 screens nationwide. Early reports from Italian media suggest that the film's remarkable success has prompted an expansion to 350 screens this week, with a gross earning of just over $1.2 million.

The international appeal of "Io Capitano" is undeniable, as it has already secured distribution deals in multiple international territories. Sales agent Pathe International is reportedly on the verge of announcing a U.S. distribution deal, amplifying the film's global reach.

In a heartwarming gesture, Matteo Garrone and the talented young cast of the film had the privilege of presenting "Io Capitano" at a special screening hosted at the Vatican for none other than Pope Francis himself.

This year has proven to be strong for Italian cinema, with 12 exceptional features vying for the coveted submission spot. Among the hot favorites were Nanni Moretti's "A Brighter Tomorrow," Alice Rohrwacher's "La Chimera," and Marco Bellocchio's "Kidnapped," all of which added to the rich tapestry of Italian cinema.

Other important movies that were in the running for this honor included "C'è Ancora Domani" by Paola Cortellesi, "Grazie Ragazzi" by Riccardo Milani, "The Return Of Casanova" by Gabriele Salvatores, "Last Night Of Amore" by Andrea Di Stefano, "La Terra Delle Donne" by Marisa Vallone, "Mixed By Erry" by Sydney Sibilia, "Noi Anni Luce" by Tiziano Russo, and "Stranizza d'Amuri" by Giuseppe Fiorello.

Italy has a storied history at the Oscars, having claimed the prestigious trophy 11 times. Their most recent victory came in 2013 with Paolo Sorrentino's "The Great Beauty." Sorrentino also secured Italy's last nomination in 2022 for "The Hand Of God."

As the anticipation builds, the Best International Film category submission deadline looms on October 2, and "Io Capitano" stands as a powerful contender, poised to leave an indelible mark on the 96th Academy Awards.