The Academy Awards are the oldest awards given to achievements in film; the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature was given the first time for the 2001 film year.
The rules say that the award will only be awarded to one of three nominees in a year that has 8 or more animated features opening theatrically in Los Angeles.
People in the animation industry and fandom expressed hope that the prestige from this award and the resulting boost to the box office will encourage the increased production of animated features.
List of winners and nominees