Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Sid Ganis announced at a news conference that its board of governors has made the decision to expand the number of films to be nominated for Best Picture from five to 10.

Ganis explained that the decision will allow the many other worthy films the chance to be recognized.

The change will take effect with next year’s Oscars on March 7, and hearkens back to Hollywood’s Golden Age when, through the 1930s and ’40s, 10 nominees for Best Picture was quite common.

Ganis noted that the board realized that there were many more films worthy of nomination last year and said, “We nominated five, but there were many other great films last year.”

Many have speculated that Christopher Nolan’s astronomical critical and commercial success “The Dark Knight,” which was snubbed, may have been a deciding factor in the board’s decision.

Ganis also said the broader field might make room for documentaries, foreign-language films, animated movies and even comedies, which are famously and repeatedly snubbed by the Oscars.

“Everybody says the academy will never nominate a comedy,” Ganis said. “Well, maybe we will.”

60-70 years ago 10 or even more Best Picture nominees was the norm. 1939′s 10 best-picture nominees were “Gone With the Wind,” which won, “The Wizard of Oz,” “Stagecoach,” “Wuthering Heights,” “Love Affair,” “Goodbye, Mr. Chips,” “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” “Of Mice and Men,” “Dark Victory” and “Ninotchka.”

All are very highly regarded classics today.