10 contenders remain in VFX Oscar race

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that 10 films remain in the running in the Visual Effects category for the 86th Oscars.

The films are listed below in alphabetical order:

• "Elysium"
• "Gravity"
• "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug"
• "Iron Man 3"
• "The Lone Ranger"
• "Oblivion"
• "Star Trek Into Darkness"
• "Thor: The Dark World"
• "Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures Pacific Rim"
• "World War Z"

The Academy's visual effects branch executive committee determined the shortlist. All members of the visual effects branch will now be invited to view 10-minute excerpts from each of the shortlisted films on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014. Following the screenings, the members will vote to nominate five films for final Oscar consideration.

Oscar nominations will be announced live Thursday, Jan. 16, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on "Oscar Sunday," March 2, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center, and televised live on ABC. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.