Now that 16 animated features were submitted for consideration in 2006, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences anticipates there will be a full slate of five nominees in the Animated Feature Film category.
The slate usually has three nominees, except for in 2002 when there were enough qualified features in the running to par down the field to five nominees.
The 16 features expected to compete for 79th Academy Awards nominations are:THE ANT BULLYARTHUR AND THE INVISIBLESBARNYARDCARSCURIOUS GEORGEEVERYONES HEROFLUSHED AWAYHAPPY FEETICE AGE THE MELTDOWNMONSTER HOUSEOPEN SEASONOVER THE HEDGEPAPRIKARENAISSANCEA SCANNER DARKLYTHE WILD
ARTHUR AND THE INVISIBLES, HAPPY FEET and PAPRIKA have not yet had their required Los Angeles releases. If any one of the group does not meet that requirement, the field in the category would fall below 16, the number required to trigger the five-nominee slate. With 15 or fewer contenders, Academy rules allow a maximum of three nominated features.
Films submitted in the Animated Feature category may qualify for Academy Awards in other categories, including Best Picture, provided they meet the requirements for those categories.
Nominations for the 79th Academy Awards will be announced on Jan. 23, 2007, at 5:30 am PT in the Academys Samuel Goldwyn Theater.
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2006 will be presented on Feb. 25, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center, and televised live by the ABC Television Network at 5:00 pm PT, beginning with a half-hour arrival segment.
