The 82nd Academy Awards, which will be presented on March 7, 2010, will have 10 feature films vying in the Best Picture category, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced.

'After more than six decades, the Academy is returning to some of its earlier roots, when a wider field competed for the top award of the year,' People magazine quoted President Sid Ganis, as saying.

'Having 10 Best Picture nominees is going to allow Academy voters to recognise and include some of the fantastic movies that often show up in the other Oscar categories, but have been squeezed out of the race for the top prize.

'I can't wait to see what that list of ten looks like when the nominees are announced in February,' Ganis added.

Image: A scene from this year's award winning picture, Slumdog Millionaire [Images].

Text: ANI