Malgorzata Szumowska’s latest has been named as Poland’s pick for the 2021 Academy Awards ahead of its world premiere at Venice Film Festival next month. “Never Gonna Snow Again” is “the first international feature to be put forward” for the Oscars, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Written by Szumowska and Michal Englert, the comedic drama tells the story of “a Ukrainian migrant working as a masseur in Poland who becomes a guru-like figure in the gated community where his clients live.”

Szumowska’s “Mug” and “Body” both won Silver Bears at the Berlin International Film Festival. Her English-language debut, “The Other Lamb,” made its world premiere at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival.

“Never Gonna Snow Again” is the third woman-directed film to be submitted for Oscar consideration by Poland since 2010. It follows in the footsteps of “In Darkness” (2011) and “Spoor” (2017), both of which were helmed by Agnieszka Holland. “Spoor” went on to receive a nomination.

Szumowska told us that Holland is her mentor. “She helps me a lot,” she said. “My advice for other female directors is what she has showed me: have tough skin and be a badass, but at the same time have friendships, relationships, and live life.”