Just two years after they expanded the Best Picture category from five to ten pictures, A.M.P.A.S. has altered the rules again for the top honor at the annual Academy Awards reports The Los Angeles Times.

 

Now the Academy has revealed the category will allow for anywhere between five and ten nominees rather than the fixed ten contenders of the past two years.

 

So how is the number determined? Films after the top five nominees will have to get at least 5% of votes to be given one of the added slots. The Academy hopes the movie will add "a new element of surprise to its annual nominations announcement."

 

 

Makes sense to me. Not like the other 5 they added had a chance at winning... just made the general public feel good. No need to force 10 nominees if there aren't enough quality movies.

I like this a lot better than the decision to change to 10. That was just pandering.