The poster of "Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore" [Photo Source: Agencies]

A total of 15 films have been accepted for consideration in the Animated Feature Film category for the 83rd Academy Awards, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Monday.

However, four of the features, "The Dreams of Jinsha," "The Illusionist," "Summer Wars" and "Tangled," have not yet had their required Los Angeles qualifying run. Submitted features must fulfill the theatrical release requirements and meet the category' s other qualifying rules before they can advance in the voting process.

"Toy Story 3" and "How to Train Your Dragon" are considered prohibitive frontrunners for the first two slots, with the third spot up for grabs from a group of 13.

Films submitted in the Animated Feature Film category also may qualify for Academy Awards in other categories, including Best Picture, provided they meet the requirements for those categories, the Academy said.

A maximum of three motion pictures may be nominated for this year's Oscars if eight to 15 animated features are released in the category, according to the rules set aside by the Academy. Voters who agree to see at least 80 percent of the qualifying films, which in this case means 12 movies, will have the right to select the final nominees.

The 83rd Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on Jan. 25, 2011 in the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater. Award ceremony is scheduled to take place on Feb. 27, 2011 at the Kodak Theater and televised live by the ABC Television Network.

The Oscar presentation also will be aired live in more than 200 countries and regions worldwide.

The 15 features are:

"Alpha and Omega;"

"Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore;"

"Despicable Me;"

"The Dreams of Jinsha;"

"How to Train Your Dragon;"

"Idiots and Angels;"

"The Illusionist;"

"Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole;"

"Megamind;"

"My Dog Tulip;"

"Shrek Forever After;"

"Summer Wars;"

"Tangled;"

"Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue;"

"Toy Story 3."