By Gina Yarbrough
Los Angeles, CA–The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that 33 features are eligible for consideration in the Animated Feature Film, Documentary Feature Film, and International Feature Film categories for the 96th Academy Awards.
The Academy says a few of the films have not had their required qualifying release and must fulfill that requirement, and comply with all the category’s other qualifying rules to advance in the voting process.
The Short Films and Feature Animation Branch members, who are automatically eligible to vote in the category, will determine the five nominees.
Academy members outside of the Short Films and Feature Animation Branch can opt-in to participate, and must meet a minimum viewing requirement to be eligible to vote in the category, according to the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.
The Academy added that all films submitted in the Animated Feature Film category may also qualify for Academy Awards in other categories, including Best Picture.
A total of 167 feature films are eligible for consideration in the Documentary Feature Film category for the Academy Awards. However, a select number of films have not met their required qualifying release. Those films are required to comply with all the category’s other qualifying rules to advance in the voting process.
Documentary features that have won a qualifying film festival award, or have been submitted in the International Feature Film category as their country’s official selection are also eligible in the category. Films submitted in the Documentary Feature Film category may also qualify for Academy Awards in other categories, including Best Picture. Documentary Branch members vote to determine the shortlist and the nominees. The shortlist of 15 films will be announced on December 21.
Eighty-eight countries or regions have submitted films that are eligible for consideration in the International Feature Film category for the Oscars, the Academy said.
An international feature film is defined as a feature-length motion picture (more than 40 minutes) produced outside the United States with more than 50% non-English dialogue tracks. Namibia, a country located in southwest Africa, is a first-time entrant in the category.
Academy members from all branches can opt-in to participate in the preliminary round of voting, and must meet a minimum viewing requirement to be eligible to vote in the category.
The shortlist of 15 films will be announced on December 21.
