'Best Animated Film' Oscar Category Finally Approved

Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2001 at 9:19 AM Central

by Tim Briscoe

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has approved a new award for the best animated feature film. This is the first new award category in close to 20 years.

They define an animated features as one that is at least 70 minutes of length and contains animation in at least 75% of the film.

One important clarification was also made with the approval of the new award. It will only be awarded when at least eight animated films are released in that year.

This is otherwise known as the AMPAS's 'cover our asses' clause in the event that another South Park movie is the only eligible film in a given year.