Here are the 19 animated films being submitted for Oscar consideration

By Caroline Siede | November 6, 2013 | 5:05pm

Aux Features Film

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has revealed the 19 films that have been submitted for Best Animated Feature Film consideration for the 86th Academy Awards. In what seems to be a fairly weak year for the category, contenders range from big-budget sequels like Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2 and Despicable Me 2 to more serious international entries, like Hayao Miyazaki’s final film, The Wind Rises, which—along with Disney's Frozen—seems a likely frontrunner.

The Best Animated Film category was created in 2001, with Shrek the first film to win. And under Academy rules, the category won't even be considered unless there are at least eight eligible animated features released theatrically over the course of the year. The number of eligible films also determines the number of nominees: If less than 16 films qualify, the number of nominees drops from five to three. Furthermore, films have to be at least 75-percent animated to qualify, which means The Smurfs 2 will have to prove Neil Patrick Harris doesn’t take up more than 25 percent of the film. And of course, any of these films may also qualify for Best Picture Award, which has happened only twice in Oscar history—in 2009 with Up and again in 2010 with Toy Story 3.