Italy has selected Gianfranco Rosi’s observational documentary ‘Notturno’ as its candidate for the Oscar in the international feature film category. “Notturno,” which launched from the Venice Film Festival and has since played at a slew of other top international fests, including Toronto and New York, was selected out of a roster of 25 titles by a committee convened by the Italian motion picture association, ANICA.

Other top contenders comprised Sophia Loren-starrer “The Life Ahead,” directed by her son Edoardo Ponti, and Matteo Garrone’s live action “Pinocchio,” starring Roberto Benigni as “Mastro Geppetto,” both of which have U.S. distribution.