Academy Awards Rules Changed

AMPAS Sets Guidelines for Best Animated Feature Film Category

Jun 14, 2007

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has re-evaluated what constitutes an animated feature film after last year's controversies,.

The Academy for Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has changed the rules regarding the Best Animated Feature Film for next year's Oscar ceremony.

AMPAS now clearly defines an animated feature film as "a motion picture of at least 70 minutes in running time, in which movement and characters’ performances are created using a frame-by-frame technique. In addition, a significant number of the major characters must be animated, and animation must figure in no less than 75 percent of the picture’s running time."

This is in contrast with previous years, where the rules stated that, “An animated feature film is defined as a motion picture created using a frame-by-frame technique of at least 70 minutes in running time with a significant number of the major characters animated, and in which animation figures in no less than 75 percent of the picture’s running time.”

This is obviously in response to the fact that an increasing number of summer movies, such as this year's Transformers, are creating entire characters and sequences in CGI. Despite the ever-increasing amount of computer-generated imagery in many of these films, there's no way that "frame-by-frame" animated technique accounts for 75% of these movies.

The new ruling also allows the controversial motion-capture method (featured in two Oscar-nominated films last year: Monster House and winner Happy Feet) to be considered a legitimate animated technique.

The new Oscar rules continue, saying, "a Reminder List of the animated feature films released during the year shall be reviewed. If the committee finds that there are eight (8) or more eligible animated feature films that warrant a category, it may (emphasis theirs) choose to recommend to the Board of Governors that there be a Best Animated Feature Film Award given this year."

Later on, we see "All submissions sent to the Academy will be screened by the Academy’s Animated Feature Film Award Screening Committee(s). After the screenings, the committee(s) will vote by secret ballot to nominate from 3 to 5 films for this award. In any year in which 8 to 15 animated features are released in Los Angeles County, a maximum of 3 films may be nominated. In any year in which 16 or more animated features are submitted and accepted in the category, a maximum of 5 films may be nominated."

This rule has not changed, despite last year's Arthur and the Invisibles controversy. You might remember that, because AMPAS decided that Luc Besson's movie lacked enough animation to be eligible for the category, there weren't enough nominees to make a full slate, therefore only 3 movies were nominated for the Oscar. This means that studios better make damned sure that, if they present a particular film for the Best Animated Feature Film category, it had better meet all the Academy's standards.

Now you're probably wondering what that the emphasis in "it may choose to recommend . . ." That's a face-saving move for AMPAS. Below, they say:

"a) The (screening) Committee(s) will view all films entered and mark all entries 10, 9, 8, 7 or 6 with the guidelines of 10 (excellent), 8 (good), 7 (fair) or 6 (poor). Those films receiving an average score of 7.5 or more shall be eligible for nomination.

"b) If only one production receives an average score of 7.5 or more, the committee(s) shall recommend to the Board of Governors that a Special Achievement Award for Animated Feature Film be made to that production.

"c) If no production receives an average score of 7.5 or more, the committee(s) shall recommend to the Board of Governors that no award be made for Animated Feature Film this year."

That makes sense. If (Heaven forfend), every animated movie made in a certain year blows chunks, AMPAS won't be forced to nominate the best of the worst. But also, it gives the Academy a chance to limit the number of nominees if less-than-16 movies meet AMPAS' quality control standards.

You can read more about the Academy's rules for Best Animated Feature Film by clicking here.

The copyright of the article Academy Awards Rules Changed in Animated Films is owned by Dominic von Riedemann. Permission to republish Academy Awards Rules Changed in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.