According to a letter written by Dawn Hudson, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences CEO, the upcoming Oscars has had the “highest ever participation during voting at any time in the Academy’s history.”
This year’s Academy Award nominations will be calculated from 9,487 eligible ballots from 82 countries around the world. For the first time since 2011, the highly-anticipated Best Picture category will be returning to 10 nominees from the eight or nine in recent years.
Nominations will be revealed next Tuesday morning, February 8th.
Here is Hudson’s full letter sent to Academy members after the nominations balloting closed Tuesday:
Thank you for taking the time to vote for this year’s Oscar nominees. Because of your passion for movies and for the work of your fellow artists, you led us to our highest ever participation during voting at any time in the Academy’s history. You submitted ballots from 82 countries. That’s a lot of love for movies!
You also played a big role in the success of the Academy Screening Room. This season marks our first without DVD screeners, and you embraced our focus on environmental sustainability.
As we head toward Finals voting, I hope you’ll continue to take advantage of all the available films on ASR. Look in “Extras” for the illuminating “Scene at the Academy” conversations as well as additional programs—there’s a lot to take in if you want more film-immersion.
The nominees in all 23 award categories will be announced on Tuesday, February 8. Finals voting begins March 17. And mark your calendars for our 94th Oscars ceremony on Sunday, March 27.
Take care and, again, thank you for taking the time to celebrate the terrific achievements of your fellow artists.
My very best,
Dawn
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