Academy Picks Seven VFX Oscar Contenders

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today the list of seven films it will consider for Achievement in Visual Effects.

This year’s big vfx contenders are Warner Bros.’ The Aviator, 2oth Century Fox’s The Day After Tomorrow, Warner Bros.’ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, 20th Century Fox’s I, Robot, Paramount Pictures’ Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, Paramount Pictures’ Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, and Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Spider-Man 2.

Among the vfx-laden projects that didn’t make the cut were Van Helsing, The Polar Express, Alexander, Troy, Riddick, Finding Neverland and The Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind.

Each of the seven films under consideration will submit 15-minute clip reels to be screened for the Visual Effects Award Nominating Committee on January 19. After viewing these reels, the committee will pick three films from these seven to nominate for Oscar consideration. The three finalists will be announced along with the nominations in the 23 other categories on Tuesday, January 25, 2005, at 5:30 a.m (PST). The Oscars will be presented on Sunday, Feb. 27 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.