MUMBAI: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has shortlisted 15 films as semi-finalists for the achievement in visual effects category for the 81st Academy Awards.

These 15 films include Australia, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, Cloverfield, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Dark Knight, The Day the Earth Stood Still, Hancock, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, The Incredible Hulk, Indiana Jones and the, Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Iron Man, Journey to the Center of the Earth, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, Quantum of Solace and The Spiderwick Chronicles.

Early January, the members of the Academy’s Visual Effects Branch Executive Committee, who voted for these semifinalists, will narrow the list to seven. The committee members will then be invited to view 15-minute excerpts from each of the seven short-listed films on 15 January, post which they will vote to nominate three films for final Oscar consideration.

The final nominations will be announced on 22 January.