Oscar 2014 Predictions: Sony Classics Pictures Back in Foreign Language Race With Hungary's 'The Notebook'

Sony Classics Pictures has re-entered the Oscar Foreign Film Race.

The distribution company has acquired North American rights to "The Notebook," the Hungarian entry for the foreign language Oscar. The film is currently on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences' short list of nine foreign language contenders for the five Oscar nominations this year.

The movie tells the story of 13-year-old twins who are abandoned by their parents during World War II and forced to live with their cruel grandmother in a village on the Hungarian border.

The film is directed by Janos Szasz and was produced by Intuit Pictures in co-production with Hunnia Filmstudio, Amour Fou and Dolce Vita Films.

The movie was adapted from Agota Kristof's novel of the same name and received the Grand Prix Crystal Globe at the 2013 Karlovy Vary Film Festival. It later had its North American premiere at the 2013 Toronto Film Festival where it garnered rave reviews.

Sony Classics is known for dominating the foreign language category and this year the company was seen to have two of the strongest contenders. Sony had Saudi Arabia's "Wadjda" and Iran's "The Past" vying for spots. However, neither film made the shortlist.

With Sony backing the campaign it is very likely that Hungary's film will get nominated.

Hungary has been nominated eight times for the Oscar and has won once. Sony has been in charge of campaigning recent winners "A Separation," "Amour" and "The Secret in their Eyes."

The Academy will announce the nominees for foreign film on Jan. 16.