On Monday, February 11th, it was announced that the Academy Award telecast would only broadcast 20 of the 24 awards; four of the awards would be given out during commercial breaks.

The awards that will not be telecast are Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Make-Up and Best Live Action Short.

This has been seen as a slap in the face to filmmakers all across the globe. Cinematography and editing in particular, are the essential steps to creating cinema. By the Academy's decision to not telecast these awards displays a disregard for for the very craft of which it celebrates.

We strongly petition the Academy to find something else to broadcast during the commercial breaks. Although we hate to miss out on any of the show - the "in memoriam" segment, the montage(s), the clips highlight the sci-tech awards or the fodder among celebrities are not the quintessential elements of filmmaking - whereas bestowing the honors of cinematography and editing are. Before and during the broadcast, make-up artists will be hard at work prepping those who are going in front of the camera. For those who have directed short films, the process of making a smaller movie are the stepping stones to making movies.

Since the failure of retaining your host this year - the removal of these awards adds insult to injury. We demand that ABC and The Academy find another way to shorten the broadcast.