The Annual Index to Motion Picture Credits covers films eligible for the Academy Awards, as well as other films, released in the Los Angeles area, which do not meet the Academy's requirements. Each film entry includes title, production and releasing companies, approximate completion date, running time, MPAA rating, producer, director, art director, cinematographer, film editor, costume designer, sound, music, writers, and cast. In addition to the complete entry, many elements are indexed: by ten major crafts (actors, art direction, cinematographers, costume designers, directors, film editors, music, producers, sound, and writers) showing individual name and films; by releasing company; by individual name with reference to the craft and film; and by character name. Choice magazine described an earlier edition of the Annual Index to Motion Picture Credits as well done. Recommended for all large libraries.

General accessibility to motion picture credit information continues with Annual Index to Motion Picture Credits, 1981 the fourth issue to be published by Greenwood Press. The Academy collects information supplied by film producers and distributors to form each film entry in the Annual Index. Each entry includes: title, production companies, releasing companies, approximate completion date, running time, MPAA rating, producer, director, art director, cinematographer, film editor, costume designer, sound, music, writers, and cast. Even when complete credits are not available, the film will be included with the available information. In addition to the complete entry for each film, many elements are indexed: by 10 major crafts (producers, costume designers, actors, etc.) showing individual name and films; by releasing company; by individual name with reference to the craft and film; and by character name. The Annual Index covers feature films released in Los Angeles commercial theaters during the year covered. Television credits are not included.

Since 1934, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has organized motion picture credit information and published it, primarily for distribution to the motion picture community, in the Screen Achievements Records Bulletin. Since 1978, Greenwood Press has provided general accessibility to this information, and continues to do so with the third volume of the Annual Index to Motion Picture Credits (1980). Data for this volume is composed of that used in determining contenders in the Annual Academy Awards ceremony, and that provided about films unrelated to the Academy event, but produced in the Los Angeles area. Each entry includes: title, production companies, releasing companies, approximate completion date, running time, MPAA rating, producer, director, art director, cinematographer, film editor, costume designer, sound, music, writers, and cast. In addition to the complete entry for each film, many elements are indexed: by 10 major crafts (producers, costume designers, actors, etc.) showing individual name and films; by releasing company; by individual name with reference to the craft and film; and-- a new feature in 1980-- by character names.