Bashir Waltzes in as Oscar Favorite

After snagging a Golden Globe and a slew or critics nods, Waltz With Bashir has made the shortlist for the Best Foreign Language Oscar

Look who's dancing with the statuettes.

Just days after its big Golden Globe win, and with a slew of honors from various critics groups, Waltz With Bashir now seems positioned as the frontrunner for the Best Foreign Language Film prize at the 81st Academy Awards.

The acclaimed Israeli animated documentary directed by Ari Folman was one of eight flicks announced today as semifinalists for the Oscar. the short list was culled from 65 international submissions.

Bashir's biggest competition looks to be France's submission, Laurent Cantet's The Class, which won the Palm d'Or at last year's Cannes Film Festival. The other competitors are The Necessities of Life (Canada), The Baader Meinhof Complex (Germany), Departures (Japan), Tear This Heart Out (Mexico), Everlasting Moments (Sweden) and 3 Monkeys (Turkey).

Five will ultimately make the Jan. 22 Oscar ballot and the winner will be announced during the Feb. 22 ceremony.