Costa Rica to Try Historic Oscar Nominations for Best International Feature and Best Documentary With ‘The Altar Boy, The Priest, and the Gardener’ (Exclusive)

Costa Rica will, for the first time in its history, try for nominations for both best international feature and best documentary at the Oscars. A few weeks after having selected Juan Manuel Fernández’s “The Altar Boy, The Priest, and the Gardener” as their official submission for the former category, the Trade and Investment Promotion Agency of Costa Rica exclusively told Variety they are also submitting the film for best documentary.

“This milestone reflects the strength of our storytellers,” said Laura López, CEO of the country’s promotion agency. “Costa Rica’s progressive vision, talented filmmakers, and extraordinary locations make it a powerful place for stories with purpose,” she added.

“The Altar Boy, The Priest, and the Gardener” tells the story of Anthony Venegas Abarca, who, in 2018, bravely went public with accusations of child sexual abuse against ex-priest Mauricio Víquez Lizano. The case would lead to a groundbreaking 20-year prison…