The science side of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (otherwise known as the Oscars) has set the deadline for 2008 submissions via online entry as Thursday (July 31) at 5:00 p.m. PT. Back in late May, the Academy sent out "call for entries" to more than 850 individuals and companies specializing in motion picture science and technology. The Academy recognizes achievements on three levels: technical (a certificate), scientific and engineering (a plaque) and merit (an Oscar statuette).

Explains awards administration director Rich Miller, "the achievement can be a device or a discovery, a formula or a method, but it must demonstrate a proven record of contributing significant value to the process of making motion pictures." The Scientific and Technical Awards committee, composed of film industry engineers, scientists and craftspeople, evaluate all submissions before making recommendations to the Academy’s Board of Governors for award consideration.

The 2008 Scientific and Technical Awards Presentation will be held Saturday, February 7, 2009, at the Beverly Wilshire hotel in Beverly Hills, hosted, no doubt, by a Hollywood starlet. Last year, it was Jessica Alba, the year before Maggie Gyllenhaal, and then prior to that Rachel McAdams. Other lovelies to have presided over the festivities have included Scarlett Johansson (2004), Jennifer Garner (2003), Kate Hudson (2002), Charlize Theron (2001), Renee Zellweger (2000) and Salma Hayek (1999).

L.A. Times photo