Jane Campion questions Oscar changes

The latest makeover of the 82-year-old Oscar awards has been questioned by a New Zealand director who votes in the contest.

Film-maker Jane Campion has reservations about the Oscar's "supersized" movie list, US newspaper, the Poughkeepsie Journal, reported.

One of only three female directors ever nominated for an Academy Award, Campion cannot comprehend why the best-picture list of nominees has been expanded from five to 10 slots for the first time since 1943, when Casablanca took home the statuette.

"I've heard it's because of the major studios," she said. "None of their movies are being chosen."

Campion won a screenplay Oscar for 1993's The Piano and her hopes this year are pinned on her period romance Bright Star. Campion isn't the only one of the 6000 or so academy members taken aback by the switch, which was unveiled in June.

"I think it dilutes the exclusivity of it," said actor Willem Dafoe, a two-time acting nominee.

"You know, some years there might not be that many movies that deserve it. I just worry it lowers the bar a little bit."

Tom Sherak, newly-appointed president of the 6000-member Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said it was an experiment.

"All the critics' 10-best lists have 10 films," Sherak said. "Maybe it would create more interest and allow us to have more fun. Maybe a comedy or a blockbuster would be nominated".

But Campion said making it easier for films such as last year's super-hero smash The Dark Knight to be recognised doesn't sit well with her.

"It's not a popularity contest," she said. "That is box office. We have that. The Oscars should be something else."

- NZPA