Variety launches Oscar site

Kudos coverage includes an academy tracker and screening sked

By VARIETY STAFF

Variety.com has launched its fourth annual site covering the gamut of movie kudos leading up to the 74th Academy Awards on March 24. Award Central 2002 at Variety.com/awards2002 is the most comprehensive awards-related Web site, developed specifically for film industry professionals.

Available to all Variety.com print and online subscribers, this special section delivers daily news updates, reviews of all films in consideration and a tally of the awards won by each film.

Debuting this year is Variety's exclusive Academy Tracker, a tool that allows subscribers to note their personal predictions for the 2002 Academy Awards nominations and winners; that data will then offer statistical insight into the industry consensus.

Returning to the site this year is a detailed award season calendar, a historical look at the Oscars and the industry's most comprehensive screening schedule that lists more than 700 official screenings in 12 locations including Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, London, Aspen and Maui. Also included are all articles from the Countdown and Variety's Eye on the Oscars spotlights.

On the day of the nominations, Variety will provide an instant list of the nominees and the Academy Tracker will be expanded to cover all categories of the Oscar race.