Academy Sets Key Dates for 85th Oscars

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which announced key dates for the 85th Academy Awards today, said nominations will be announced Jan. 10, five days earlier than previously announced, which, it said, would give both Academy members and the public more time to see the nominated films.

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The Academy also said it would begin the process of phasing in electronic voting. It has been working with PricewaterhouseCoopers and Everyone Counts to develop an electronic voting process for the past year. While paper ballots will remain an option this year, the Academy hopes to facilitate the move to electronic voting by installing assisted voting stations in Los Angeles, New York and London and operating a 24-hour telephone help line during voting periods.

In the pre-nominations phase, members will contine to vote via paper ballot in eight categories due to specialized screening schedules and processes. Those categories are animated feature film, animated short film, live-action short film, documentary feature, documentary short subjet, foreign-language film, making/hairstyling and visual effects.

In the walk-up to the 85th awards, which will be held Feb. 24, the Academy will hold its Governors Awards on Dec. 1,  its annual Nominees Luncheon on Feb. 4 and its Scientific and Technical Awards on Feb. 9.

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Nominations voting begins Dec. 17 and closes Jan. 3, with noms announced on Thursday, Jan. 10, which should make the weekend of Jan. 11 a prime date for distributors hoping  to capitalize on momentum from nominations.

The final voting begins Feb. 8 and closes Feb. 19.

The key dates are as follows:

Friday, Nov. 30, 2012: Official Screen Credits due
Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012: Governors Awards presentation
Monday, Dec. 17, 2012: Nominations voting begins
Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013: Nominations voting ends 5 p.m. PT
Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013: Nominations announced 5:30 a.m. PT, Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater
Monday, Feb. 4, 2013: Nominees Luncheon
Friday, Feb. 8, 2013:  Final voting begins
Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013: Scientific and Technical Awards presentation
Tuesday, Feb 19, 2013: Final voting ends 5 p.m. PT
Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013: 85th Academy Awards presentation