Oscars bosses have approved new rule changes which will enable five films to compete for the Best Visual Effects Academy Award, instead of three.

The governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have decided that 1996 rules which limited the category to three nominees are outdated. In another tweak, the eligibility for Best Animated Feature Film nominees has been reduced from 70 minutes to 40 minutes.

As a result, a film that runs less than an hour can now qualify for Academy Awards consideration. Next year's Oscars, which will include the new rules, will take place in Hollywood on February 27.

Oscars further announced that other modifications of the 83rd Academy Awards rules include normal date changes and minor "housekeeping" changes.

Rules are reviewed annually by individual branch and category committees. The Awards Rules Committee then reviews all proposed changes before presenting its recommendations to the Academy's Board of Governors for approval.