Up for the Oscar

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius Marco Polo: Return to Xanadu Monsters, Inc Osmosis Jones The Prince of Light Shrek The Trumpet of the Swan Waking Life

The category will recognise animated films more than 70 minutes long, which have been some of the biggest box office successes of recent years, but which have rarely been considered for the best picture prize.

Shrek and Monsters, Inc have been two of the most popular films of the year in the Unites States, where they have taken more than $200m (�138m) each at the box office.

The first Oscar for the best feature-length animation will be given at next year's awards, to be held in Los Angeles in March.

Monsters, Inc has been a big box office success

But it will only be given out in years when there are eight or more eligible films.

Film studios have produced an average of only seven animated features per year since 1989. But in 2001, nine will be considered.

The 100-strong Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences screening committee will pick three of the nine to go to the final voting stage, and the nominees will be announced in February.

The new award will reward the all-round production of the film - including script, performances and score - not just the quality of the animation.

Toy Story 2: One of the most popular animations ever

Three of the top 20 films of all time at the US box office are animations - The Lion King, Shrek and Toy Story 2.

The only animated film to be nominated for the best picture prize in the past was Beauty and the Beast in 1992.

The first ever animated feature, 1937's Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, was given an honorary Oscar - which consisted of one normal sized statuette and seven smaller awards.

The last time a new Academy Awards was established was 19 years ago for makeup, as well as the honorary Gordon E Sawyer prize for a career of technological contributions.