The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced that Hollywood hairstylists are now eligible for the industry's biggest award: an Oscar. In a statement on Thursday (June 28, 2012), it was announced that the award previously honouring achievements in makeup would now be known as the 'Makeup and Hairstyling' award, reports the Associated Press.
Other new rules for the upcoming 85th annual Academy Awards clarify certain technical requirements for awards in the foreign language and visual effects categories. The Academy also voted in favour of allowing additional songwriters to be considered for the original song category. The 85th Academy Awards will be presented on February 24, 2013 at the Dolby Theatre and broadcast live around the world. Reacting to the news, Angelina Jolie's long-time hairstylist Ted Gibson - who also counts Anne Hathaway amongst his clients - told the Hollywood Reporter, "It's time for hairdressers to be recognized. We need to bring awareness to the Academy.I am so excited that the Academy is finally recognizing hairdressers in films. It's a great start.People have gone to the Academy for decades to try to get hair on the ballot and they haven't responded at all. I feel proud to be part of the movement to make a change". Gibson had previously set up a Facebook page called "We Need an Oscar for Hair".
Pictures likely to be competing at next year's Oscars include Steven Spielberg's 'Lincoln' biopic, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, and the drama 'Beasts of the Southern Wild'.