Animated Oscar race to feature only 3 noms

LOS ANGELES Fifteen animated features were accepted for consideration, which is one short of the minimum 16 needed to expand the category to five nominees, /*Oscar*/ organizers announced Monday.

"Toy Story 3," "How to Train Your Dragon," "Despicable Me," "Megamind" and "Sherk Forever" are among the films accepted for consideration.

Also in the running: "Alpha and Omega," "Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore," "Idiots and Angels," "Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole," "My Dog Tulip" and "Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue."

Upcoming films "Tangled," "The Illusionist," "The Dreams of Jinsha" and "Summer Wars" have yet to hit Los Angeles theaters to qualify for this year's Oscars.

Nominations come out Jan. 25, with the Oscar ceremony following on Feb. 27.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.