MUMBAI: In a bid to recognise the animation genre, The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) which organises the Golden Globe Awards, has established the Best Animated Feature Film category.

This new category will kick off next year. The announcement was made by HFPA president Philip Berk.

Eligible films must be "feature-length (70 minutes or longer) with no more than 25 per cent live action. If less than eight animated films qualify, the award will not be given, in which case the films would be eligible for Best Picture. Otherwise they would not be eligible for the Best Picture category. The category will be limited to three nominations per year as is the case with the Oscar Awards.

Berk says, The members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association have recognised several animated feature films in the Best Picture (Musical or Comedy) category in recent years, including Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Toy Story, and Shrek. Animated features have become an important component of the studio lineup so there was an overwhelming consensus that this new category be created.