Seven films have made it on to the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences’ shortlist for the visual effects Oscar.

The films in alphabetical order are: Avatar, District 9 (pictured), Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince, Star Trek, Terminator Salvation, Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen, and 2012.

On January 21 all members of the Academy’s visual effects branch will be invited to view 15-minute excerpts from each of the seven films.

Following this the members will vote to nominate three films for final Oscar consideration.

The 82nd Academy Awards nominations will be announced on Tuesday, February 2 ahead of the awards ceremony on March 7.