The Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) has announced that Ireland’s submission for the Foreign Language category at the 2012 Academy Awards will be director Juanita Wilson’s As If I Am Not There, which tells the story of a woman facing the living nightmare of the 1992-1995 Bosnian War. The film is based on an acclaimed book of the same name by Croatian journalist Slavenka Drakulic.

An Irish/Macedonian/Swedish co-production filmed in Macedonia in late 2009, it primarily uses the Serbo-Croat language, and was developed and produced by Irish producers James Flynn (Octagon Films) and Nathalie Lichtenthaeler (Wide Eye Films). The Irish team behind the project also includes cinematographer Tim Fleming, editor Nathan Nugent and composer Brian Crosby.

The tale follows a young woman from Sarajevo whose life is shattered the day a young soldier walks into her apartment and tells her to pack her things. Imprisoned in a warehouse in a remote region of Bosnia and facing the constant threat of death, she struggles against the hatred she sees all around her. This eventually results in one final act of courage or madness, which saves her life.

As a rule, countries outside of the U.S. may submit one film to represent them to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The Academy instructs that films submitted for the Foreign Language category do not have to be in the language of that particular country’s origin, but do have to be mostly non-English.

Aine Moriarty, Chief Executive of IFTA, said she’s excited about the film’s prospects.

“IFTA is delighted to announce Ireland’s 2012 Foreign Language entry for the 84th Academy Awards in Los Angeles,” she said. “This film will be such a strong contender this year for Ireland in this Oscar category, representing the very best of Irish creative talent.”

As If I Am Not There took the honors for Best Film, Best Director and Best Script at the IFTA Awards earlier this year, with Juanita Wilson previously nominated by the Academy for her short film The Door.