Members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) havevoted to add the category of best animated feature film to next year's 64thAnnual Golden Globes.

Eligible films must be 70 minutes or longer with no more thanone-quarter comprising live-action footage.

If less than eight animated films qualify, the award will not behanded out and the qualifying titles will become eligible for the best picturecategory. If the quota is met, the titles will only be eligible for the newcategory, which will carry a maximum of three nominees.

"The members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association haverecognised several animated feature films in the best picture (musical orcomedy) category in recent years, including Beauty And The Beast, Aladdin,The Lion King, Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Chicken Run and Shrek," HFPA president Philip Berk said.

"Animated features have become an important component of thestudio line-up so there was an overwhelming consensus that this new category becreated."

The new category means there are now 25 Golden Globe awardsexcluding the Cecil B DeMille Award.