(Cover) - EN Movies - It has been reported that the system for Oscars voting could be changed to an online method.

The prestigious Academy Awards take place annually to recognise excellence in the movie industry, with winners at this year's ceremony including Black Swan actress Natalie Portman and The King's Speech director Tom Hooper.

Voting for recipients of the acclaimed gongs has previously been organised via a mailed ballot system, although reports suggest the system could be moving to online voting.

A letter has reportedly been sent from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) to voting members explaining that an electronic system could be put in place "as early as this year".

Next year's Academy Awards have been confirmed to take place on February 26, although it has been claimed that in the future the date of the Oscars could move forward as online methods would be quicker.

It is believed a new method has been suggested to avoid any voting mishaps and ensure the system runs more efficiently. In 2004 nearly 250 UK-based voting members risked missing the voting deadline after their ballot papers got lost in the post. (C) Cover Media