Rule Seven
Special Rules for the Best Animated Film Award

I. Definition
An animated feature film is defined as a motion picture 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% of the picture's running time.

II. Eligibility
1. Except as indicated above, films in this category must meet all the requirements in Academy Awards Rules sections Two, Three and Four.

2. The Executive Committee of the Short Films and Feature Animation Branch shall meet prior to the last Board of Governors meeting of the calendar year. At this meeting, 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 choose to recommend to the Board of Governors that there be a Best Animated Feature Film Award given this year. If the Governors accept this recommendation, the following nomination process shall be set in motion.

III. Submission
1. An entry form naming the intended award recipient and including the signatures of all the credited producer(s) and director(s) is required. (This is to assure that all parties are properly informed, and that agreement on the designated award recipient is settled prior to submission.)

2. An "award recipient" shall be designated by those responsible for the production of the film. The designated recipient must be the KEY CREATIVE TALENT most clearly responsible for the overall achievement. This person shall receive the award on behalf of the entire production.

3. The print submitted for Academy Award consideration must be identical in content and length to the print utilized for the qualifying exhibition. All entries submitted must include a synopsis of the film written in English.

4. Prints should be marked "ANIMATED FEATURE FILM ENTRY" and shipped PREPAID to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, 8949 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California 90211. Those not chosen as nominations for final balloting will be returned to the sender at Academy expense. PRINTS SUBMITTED WILL BE RETAINED BY THE ACADEMY UNTIL THE VOTING PROCESS IS COMPLETED AND WILL NOT BE LOANED FOR USE BY OTHERS DURING THE PERIOD OF THE VOTING PROCESS.

5. THE DEADLINE FOR RECEIVING THE ENTRY FORM, SYNOPSIS, CAST AND CREDITS LIST, FILMOGRAPHIES AND STILLS IS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2002. THE DEADLINE FOR RECEIVING THE FILM PRINT IS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2002. FOREIGN ENTRIES MUST ALSO COMPLY WITH THIS RULE.

6. Films submitted in the Best Animated Feature Film category may qualify for Academy Awards in other areas, including Best Picture, provided they meet the rules criteria governing those categories.

7. No film may be submitted more than once for Academy Award consideration.

IV. Voting

1. A Chairperson, appointed by the Academy President, shall head a Best Animated Feature Film Award Screening Committee. An invitational letter will be sent from the Chairperson to a list of active and life Academy members requesting their participation. Those serving on the screening committee will be required to see 80% of the submitted eligible films. Persons involved in the production, promotion or distribution of any submitted film may not serve on this nominating committee. (Once the nominees are determined, however, such individuals may vote to determine the Best Animated Feature Film Award.)

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

(a) Those films receiving an average score of 7.5 or more shall be eligible for nomination.

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

(c) If none of the productions receives an average score of 7.5 or more, the committee shall recommend to the Board of Governors that no award be made for Animated Feature Film that year.

3. Final voting for the Best Animated Feature Film Award shall be restricted to active and life Academy members.

4. The Short Film and Feature Animation Branch Executive Committee shall have the right and responsibility to resolve all questions of eligibility, rules interpretations and the designation of award recipients.

5. It remains within the sole and confidential discretion of the Board of Governors to determine if any Best Animated Feature Film Award shall be given for a particular year, and to make all final determinations regarding this category.