SHORT FILMS AND FEATURE ANIMATION

From Academy Bylaws:

Article III, Section 1.  Membership shall be by invitation of the Board of Governors.  Invitations to active membership shall be limited to those persons active in the motion picture arts and sciences, or credited with screen achievements, or who have otherwise achieved distinction in the motion picture arts and sciences and who, in the opinion of the Board, are qualified for membership.

Members of the Short Films and Feature Animation Branch are filmmakers, artistic craftspeople, and those who have made notable contributions to the field. To be considered for invitation to membership, a candidate must:

(a) have met one of the following minimum number of screen credits in a key creative supervising, directing or lead role* on a theatrical film of a caliber which, in the opinion of the Short Films and Feature Animation Branch Executive Committee, reflect the high standards of the Academy.

Live Action:

  • four screen credits for Live Action Short Films

Animation:

  • four screen credits at Tier 1 (see below) for Animated Short Films
  • two screen credits at Tier 1 (see below) for Animated Feature Films
  • three screen credits at Tier 2 (see below) for Animated Feature Films

and\or

(b)  have been nominated for an Academy Award in a Short Films category (animated and live action short films), or the Animated Feature Film category.

or

(c)  have, in the judgment of the Short Films and Feature Animation Branch Executive Committee, otherwise achieved unique distinction, earned special merit or made an outstanding contribution within the person's field of endeavor.**

Proposals must be accompanied by a letter from each sponsor which specifies under which requirement or tier the candidate qualifies and how the candidate reflects the high standards of the Academy.
 

* Key creative supervising, directing or lead roles are defined as follows:         

Live Action Short Films: 

  •  4 credits – Director, Producer, Writer

Animated Short Films:

  •  4 credits at Tier 1

Animated Feature Films:

  • 2 credits at Tier 1
  • 3 credits at Tier 2

Please note many of the below job title examples may only apply to CGI animation, but equivalent job titles across various mediums will be considered equally under the appropriate Tier that the sponsor letters specify.

TIER 1
Creatively oversees the film from start to finish. Develops processes and tools and manages other artists to achieve the overall vision of the film. Coordinates and prioritizes efforts and communication across the entire film. Responsible for the overall delivery of the film against budget and schedule.
Job titles include:
● Director ● Producer ● Head of Story ● Editor ● Production Designer ● VFX Supervisor ● Screenplay

TIER 2
Executes the creative vision and plan for the film at the interdepartmental level. Responsible for resource management, both fiscal and human, to achieve the overall look and delivery of the film.
Job titles include, but are not limited to:
● Head of Character Animation ● Character Animator Lead ● Supervising Animator ● Animation Director ● Head of Layout ● Director of Photography ● Head of Lighting ● Lighting Supervisor ● Compositing Supervisor ● Head of Effects Animation ● Character Design Supervisor ● Art Director


**Candidates with job titles that fall outside Tier 1 and Tier 2 may be considered under the “C” clause for their overall outstanding contribution to animation.