Nomination ballots for the 80th annual Academy Awards were mailed out yesterday to the 5,829 voting members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the awards' organizer announced.

The ballots, which are individually numbered to ensure there are no duplicates, must be returned to Pricewaterhouse Coopers accounting firm by 5pm Jan. 12, according to the Academy.

Oscar nominations will be announced on Jan. 22 this year, and the awards show is scheduled for Feb. 24 at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood.