Earlier this week, Egyptian filmmaker Amr Salama's Sheikh Jackson, was officially selected to represent Egypt at the 90th Academy Awards.
The feature now has a chance to be considered for the best foreign-language film Oscar.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, "Salama received news of his country's Oscar bid pick Monday while attending the Toronto International Film Festival, where Sheikh Jackson is set to have its world premiere."
In a statement released shortly after the news was announced, the talented filmmaker said:
"I’m thrilled and honored to be recognized. My aim was to be honest from the beginning and I wanted to cross borders with this film and subject. I believe we have done just that."
The feature was co-produced by Film Clinic and The Producers and is a drama "where the sudden death of the King of Pop sends a former devotee, and now a young imam, into a tailspin."
The film includes a few scenes where the Islamic cleric is seen dressed like Michael Jackson.
It stars Ahmad Al Fishawy, Maged El Kedwany, Ahmed Malek, Amina Khalil, and Salma Abu Deif in its lead roles.
Lebanon also recently selected its official Oscar entry
The upcoming international award season already looks promising for Arab films and filmmakers.
Just last week, Lebanon revealed its official Academy Award representative, Ziad Doueiri's The Insult.
The feature received rave reviews after its premiere earlier last week and earned Palestinian actor Kamel El Basha a Volpi Cup for best actor at the Venice Film Festival.
Set in modern day Beirut, The Insult revolves around an argument that erupts between Toni, a Lebanese Christian, and Yasser, a Palestinian refugee, and eventually escalates into an intense legal battle that becomes a matter of public opinion.
Already hailed by critics "as a fascinating, parable-like exploration of the tension between two facets of Lebanon’s Arab community," the film depicts the "effect of historical trauma on modern Lebanese society."