The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced ten films that have made the shortlist for the Visual Effects award for 2012. Naturally The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is among them.

On January 3, members of the Academy’s Visual Effects branch will view 10-minute excerpts from all the films and narrow them down to the final five nominees. The nominations for the 2012 Academy Awards will be announced on January 10.

The Oscars ceremony itself is scheduled for February 24. With luck, those who attend the newly announced event, “The One Expected Party,” will be able to celebrate The Hobbit‘s win in that and other categories!