Italy's national film association has selected Emanuele Crialese's film "Terraferma" as Italy's entry for the best foreign language Academy Award. 

"Terraferma" tells the story of an Italian fisherman who hides a woman and her son who have arrived illegally on a small island. His act of generosity, following the law of the sea, is in direct conflict with laws governing migration — and the move turns the fisherman's life upside down.

The movie made its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, where it won the special jury prize earlier this month. Crialese's 2006 film "Nuovomondo" ("The Golden Door") won a Silver Lion at Venice, and went on to worldwide acclaim. ANICA announced the selection Wednesday.