The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that seven films remain in competition in the Makeup category for the 81st Academy Awards®.

The films are listed below in alphabetical order:

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The Dark Knight

Hellboy II: The Golden Army

The Reader

Synecdoche, New York

Tropic Thunder

The Wrestler

On Saturday, January 17, all members of the Academy's Makeup Branch will be invited to view 10-minute excerpts from each of the seven shortlisted films. Following the screenings, members will vote to nominate three films for final Oscar consideration.

The 81st Academy Awards nominations will be announced on Thursday, January 22, 2009, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2008 will be presented on Sunday, February 22, 2009, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.