Xavier Dolan, director of the film 'Mommy", speaks to the media at a news conference Friday, September 19, 2014 in Montreal. The film has been selected as Canada's submission for Oscar consideration.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

MONTREAL - Quebec director Xavier Dolan is aiming to get a little more than a coveted golden statue now that "Mommy" is being put forth as Canada's Oscar contender in the best foreign-language film category.

He figures the experience could provide a little research for his next film, which will be on showbiz itself.

The 25-year-old Dolan, who is known for his tremendous work ethic, says he is now working on "The Death and Life of John F. Donovan."

"It's a movie on show business," he said Friday at a news conference announcing the latest accolade for "Mommy."

"I think it was only a matter of time before I started to talk about that because I always stick to what I know — mothers and sons, unrequited love affairs. I'm fascinated by this business. All this campaign is probably going to be used for research, eventually."

Although it's Canada's official entry in the Oscar race, "Mommy" still has a long way to go before it gets to Hollywood's Dolby Theatre for the Feb. 22 ceremony.

A record 76 countries are submitting films for consideration by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as a nominee.

A short list of nine films will be revealed in early January and that will be whittled down to the final five nominees, which will be announced Jan. 15.

"It's a very nice honour, a very good challenge, that feeds my competitive side," a laughing Dolan told reporters.

"That being said, it's the first of many, many steps. Many people have been through this and their experience will serve to inspire us."

He joked that he foresees a "very long brunch" with previous Canadian Oscar-nominated directors to get their advice.

Dolan said he did allow himself to entertain thoughts of "Mommy" getting the nod.

"I have to admit that I've always had big — excessive — dreams for my movies," he said. "Sometimes maybe they've been interpreted as pretentious or too ambitious but when you're aiming high you're risking to achieve some things."

He said he's up for the challenge of promoting the film into the Academy's heart.

"I know it's a lot of work," he said. "I'm game. I love this. It's going to be a lot of fun."

Canada has submitted films for Oscar consideration since 1971.

As of 2013, seven Canadian films have been nominated and one has won.

That was 2003's "The Barbarian Invasions."

It was directed by Denys Arcand, who was also nominated for his 1986 film "The Decline of the American Empire" and "Jesus of Montreal," which was released in 1989.

"Mommy" premiered earlier this year at the Cannes film festival, where it got a lengthy standing ovation and shared the prestigious Jury Prize with French film legend Jean-Luc Godard, who won for his film "Goodbye to Language."

It also received praise when it was shown recently at the Toronto International Film Festival, which is considered a key lobbying battleground for Oscar season.

"For the last several years, Canadian cinema has made waves at the Oscars with strong and audacious films," said Carolle Brabant, executive-director of Telefilm Canada.

She noted that "Mommy" has had a "brilliant career since its release."

"There's no question members of the Academy will be moved by this film as well."

"Mommy" deals with a mother's challenging relationship with her troubled son and reunites Dolan with Quebec actress Anne Dorval, who played the mother in his first film, "I Killed My Mother." It was also put forth for Oscar consideration after its 2009 release but wasn't nominated.

"She's just the perfect actor for me," he said of Dorval. "I didn't write the part for Anne. I wrote the movie for her."

Dolan was raised by a single mother who he says inspired him. He acknowledges he revisits the theme of mothers frequently in his films.

"It's such a rich and complex figure in society," he said, pointing out he enjoys writing roles for women. "I think they're more complex, and richer and deeper characters than men."

Nancy Grant, the film's producer, praised Dolan and said they probably get along well because they're both workaholics.

"He's full of creativity," she said, adding Dolan helps out with costume design as well as writing, directing and acting. "He's very demanding, very precise, but I like it. I like that he expects so much from others because he gives a lot of himself."

Dolan, who has directed five feature films and been described as a prodigy and a phenomenon, said getting to the glamorous Oscar ceremony is a filmmaker's dream.

"It represents Hollywood," he said, jokingly adding with a swooning sigh, "It represents Jennifer Lawrence."

News from © The Canadian Press, 2014