Academy rescinds 'Alone Yet Not Alone' Oscar nomination

The best original song nomination of controversial 'Alone Yet Not Alone' has been revoked by the Academy's Board of Governors.

The decision was prompted by the discovery that its composer Bruce Broughton, a former Governor and current Music Branch executive committee member of the Academy, had emailed members to make them aware of his submission during the nominations voting period, the Academy said in a release.

"No matter how well-intentioned the communication, using one's position as a former governor and current executive committee member to personally promote one's own Oscar submission creates the appearance of an unfair advantage," said Cheryl Boone Isaacs, Academy President.

The Board determined that Broughton's actions were inconsistent with the Academy's promotional regulations. The song's nomination had raised many eyebrows as the film 'Alone Yet Not Alone' had a small release to qualify for the Oscar with its actual release slated for June this year whereas songs by Jay Z, Cold Play and Lana Del Rey were ignored.

The Academy will not name an additional nominee in the Original Song category thus narrowing the competition for its four contenders. The nominated numbers in this category are 'Happy' from 'Despicable Me 2', 'Let It Go' from 'Frozen', 'The Moon Song' from 'Her' and 'Ordinary Love' from 'Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom'. The Oscar ceremony will take place on March 2.