Oscar hope for High School songs

Only two songs from High School Musical 3 can make the final shortlist

Eleven tracks from High School Musical 3: Senior Year are eligible for next year's best original song Oscar, the ceremony's organisers have announced.

They include title number High School Musical, The Boys are Back, Can I Have This Dance and Just Getting Started.

Another Way to Die, the theme tune from James Bond film Quantum of Solace, is also among the 49 eligible tracks.

So is Gran Turino, Clint Eastwood's self-penned, Golden Globe-nominated song from his film of the same name.

Big names in contention include Beyonce Knowles, longlisted for a song from her movie Cadillac Records, and Bruce Springsteen, recognised for his title track to The Wrestler.

John Travolta, meanwhile, could be in the running for I Thought I Lost You, a duet with pop star Miley Cyrus that features on the soundtrack of the animated film Bolt.

Orchestra

Steve Coogan's comedy Hamlet 2 could also get a nomination for its light-hearted song Rock Me Sexy Jesus.

All will be revealed when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announces the Oscar nominations on 22 January, a month ahead of the ceremony.

Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova won this year's best song Oscar

According to new rules announced last June, a maximum of two songs may be nominated from any one film.

Its music branch will meet in January to determine which tracks - between three and five - will make the final shortlist.

This year's best song Oscar was won by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova for Falling Slowly, taken from the Irish film Once.

After Irglova's acceptance speech was drowned out by the orchestra, the Czech musician was memorably invited back on stage by host Jon Stewart and allowed to complete it.