LOS ANGELES, Sept. 6 (Xinhuanet) -- US director Michael Moore, whodirected the controversial anti-war documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11,"said Monday he will submit the film for consideration as best picture rather than best documentary at this year's Academy Awards.

    "For me the real Oscar would be Bush's defeat on Nov. 2," Mooresaid from New York.

    Moore said he and his producing partner Harvey Weinstein agreedthat "Fahrenheit 9/11," which criticized the US-led war in Iraq, would stand a better chance if they focused solely on the best picture Oscar.

    "Fahrenheit 9/11," which cost 6 million dollars to make, is a hit at North America box office this summer by grossing 117.3 million US dollars.

    For two reasons, Moore prefers "Fahrenheit 9/11" to contend forbest picture Oscar. Firstly, he did not want to steal the spotlight away from other documentaries, such as the fast-food satire "Super Size Me" and the sober look at Arab television news in "Control Room," so to give them a chance to win the best documentary Oscar.

    "I don't want to take away from the other nominees and the attention that they richly deserve," Moore said.

    Secondly, Moore hoped to pay "Fahrenheit 9/11" on television ahead of the November presidential elections. But according to theOscar rules, playing on TV would invalidate its contention in the documentary category, but not for best picture.

    With the release of "Fahrenheit 9/11," Moore had publicly announced that he aimed to defeat President George W. Bush's bid to win re-election

    But regardless of who wins the election, Moore said the movie'spresence at the Academy Awards in February 2005 will provide another forum for Americans to think about its anti-war message. Enditem