Variety reports that the Motion Picture Academy’s visual effects branch has included Ratatouille and Beowulf among the contenders for the visual effects Oscar. The two animated films feature in the Academy’s first list of 15 visual effects contenders for this year, alongwith effects-laden, live-action films such as, 300, Transformers and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, to name a few. The nominations for the 80th Annual Academy Awards will be announced on January 22.