Oscar nods for five BIFF 2012 films

BIFF 2012 screened five Oscar nominated films including: Monsieur Lazhar, Incident in New Baghdad, Pentecost, Raju and Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore. Of these five films, two are nominated for the Live Action Shorts category, one for the Foreign Language Film, one for the Short Subject Documentary and one for the Animated Short Film. Drawing particular attention this year, “Monsieur Lazhar”--by Québécois director and screenwriter Philippe Falardeau--illustrates the struggles of an Algerian immigrant to replace an elementary school teacher who unexpectedly commits suicide.