LOS ANGELES -- Director Zhang Yimou's spy thriller Cliff Walkers is the Chinese mainland's entry for Best International Feature Film at the 94th Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars.

Featuring a star-studded cast of China's leading talent, including Zhang Yi, Yu Hewei and Qin Hailu, Cliff Walkers, set in the 1930s in China's northeast during the Japanese invasion, follows four Chinese special agents who return to China to embark on a secret mission after receiving training in the Soviet Union.

A total of 93 films from around the world were submitted for the coveted prize, including three Chinese-language films, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Monday.

The tally tied the all-time record high from last year in the category, previously known as the Best Foreign-Language Film. Somalia is a first-time entrant this year.

An international feature film is defined as a feature-length motion picture (more than 40 minutes) produced outside the United States with a predominantly non-English dialogue track.

Zero to Hero, a biopic based on the true story of medal-winning Paralympian So Wa-wai, was submitted in the category by Hong Kong, China.

The shortlist of 15 films in the category will be announced on Dec 21, 2021. The 94th Oscars will be held in March next year.