Oscars 2017 nominations: Paul Verhoven’s Elle snubbed as foreign language shortlist revealed

The Oscars shortlist for the foreign language category has been revealed ahead of next year’s ceremony.

While films including Maren Aide’s Toni Erdmann and Asghar Farhadi’s The Salesman have made the nine-strong list, there have been one or two notable snubs.

Paul Verhoven’s much-lauded Elle, which has impressed critics and cinema-goers alike, has not been nominated in a surprise move.

Verhoeven’s story about a woman who confronts her rapist in an unexpected way, which has been described by many as one of the best films of the year, will not be in the running when the gongs are handed out in Hollywood in February.

Spanish heavyweight Pedro Almodovar has also been snubbed, with his new film Julieta failing to secure a slot on the shortlist.

It’s Only the End of the World, directed by Xavier Dolan and starring Marion Cotillard and Léa Seydoux has received a nod after winning the Grand Prix du Jury at Cannes earlier this year.

Other countries to land films in the top nine include Denmark, who are represented by Martin Zandvlie’s Land of Mine and Russia with Andrei Konchalovsky’s Paradise.

Australian Tanna, directed by Bentley Dean and Martin Butler, has also been nominated for an Oscar.

The main Oscars shortlist will be announced on January 24, with the ceremony taking place on February 26.