..Gary Dretzka
..Noah Forrest
..Leonard Klady
..R.J. Matson
..David Poland
..Douglas Pratt
..Ray Pride
..Michael Wilmington

August 13, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Academy Urges Early Return of Oscar(R) Screen Credit Forms

Beverly Hills, CA - The final deadline for receipt of the Official Screen Credits forms is December 1, but the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences wants them now.

"We're trying to encourage the studios and production companies to submit the forms as early as possible this year," said Credits Coordinator Torene Svitil.

These are the forms the Academy uses to prepare lists of films qualified for Academy Award(R) consideration and the filmmakers whose achievements would be credited for nomination and award purposes.

Because of the earlier date of the Awards next year (February 29), the Academy needs to have the "Reminder List of Eligible Releases" proofed, printed and ready to mail with the nominations ballots on January 2. That's more than a week earlier than last year.

"We'll have very little time to make last minute changes to the List this year," Svitil said. "And if a film isn't in the List, it isn't eligible for Academy Awards consideration."

The Academy's rules require Official Screen Credits forms to be returned to the Academy no later than 60 days after the opening of the qualifying Los Angeles release, or December 1, whichever comes first.

The Official Screen Credits forms can be sent to the Academy before the qualifying Los Angeles release, which is what happens every year with films that open in December.