December 27, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Dawn Newell (310) 247-3000
                 dnewell@oscars.org

Beverly Hills, CA - Midnight on Tuesday, December 31, marks the final deadline for a feature film to begin a seven-day run in Los Angeles County to officially qualify for 2002 Oscar^® consideration.

"A number of films every year begin their one-week qualifying run near the end of December," said Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Frank Pierson. "However, since producers must have submitted the Academy's Official Screen Credits form by December 2 in order for the films to be eligible for a nomination, there aren't any last minute surprises."

Oscar nominations will be announced at 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 11, 2003, at the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2002 will be presented on Sunday, March 23, 2003, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland^® and televised live by the ABC Television Network beginning at 5:30 p.m. A half-hour arrival segment will precede the presentation ceremony at 5 p.m.