Animated Features One Step Closer To Gold

Thirteen is the lucky number for Oscar hopefuls in the Animated Feature category. The November 1, 2001 deadline has come and gone, and Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences spokesperson John Pavlik told AWN thirteen applications for the Animated Feature Film Award were received. While Pavlik admitted that a couple of the films might have some eligibility problems, the Academy has enough applications to begin the screening process for qualification. The submitted films will be reviewed by the executive committee of the Short Films and Feature Animation branch, which will make its recommendations to the Board of Governors who will ultimately determine whether or not an award will be handed out in the Animated Feature film category. The Board will meet on December 11th to make the decision. The Academy defines an Animated Feature Film as “a motion picture of at least 70 minutes in running time where a significant number of the major characters in the film are animated, and animation figures in no less than 75% of the picture's running time.” This definition seems to have foiled at least one potential contender. BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE was denied application by the Academy, according to a press release sent out by the film’s distributor Manga Entertainment, who is questioning the Academy’s eligibility rules. BLOOD is an Annie Award nominee for Best Feature, alongside probable Academy Award contenders SHREK and OSMOSIS JONES. CEO of Manga Entertainment Marvin Gleicher stated, "The film was produced as a feature film and has played theatrically in Japan and the U.S. Although the film is 50 minutes long, this is the way the creators intended it to be. We feel that BLOOD should qualify as an entry into the Academy's new animated feature category." Pavlik said the Academy stands firm on the requirements and no film under 70 minutes will be allowed in competition.