Oscars Tweak Rules Due To COVID-19 Shutdown
According to a piece in Variety, the Oscars (Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences) is making adjustments to their Oscar eligibility rules due to essential changes that needed to be made during the coronavirus pandemic.
During a meeting yesterday, the board of governors at the Oscars put a “hold” on the requirement that films need at least a 7-day theatrical release in a commercial Los Angeles theater to qualify for an Academy Award.
Under the new rules, films can still qualify if they were released digitally without playing in theaters. However, this doesn’t open up the world of direct to streaming movies entirely. In order to qualify for a nomination, a film must have already planned a theatrical release. The film will also need to be available on the Academy Screening Room (members-only) streaming site within 60 days of the films VOD release.
In an official statement Academy president, David Rubin along with CEO Dawn Hudson outlined the following plans, “The Academy firmly believes there is no greater way to experience the magic of movies than to see them in a theater.” However, they went on to add,“Our commitment to that is unchanged and unwavering. Nonetheless, the historically tragic COVID-19 pandemic necessitates this temporary exception to our awards eligibility rules. The Academy supports our members and colleagues during this time of uncertainty. We recognize the importance of their work being seen and also celebrated, especially now, when audiences appreciate movies more than ever.”
However, it should be noted that once theaters re-open, the hold on the theater requirement will be removed and movies will once again be required to screen for eligibility. However, the Academy seems to be phases a return to the original pre-requisite. For instance, films that have already been released for streaming during COVID-19 will not be required to be released in theaters. When cinemas worldwide re-open, the 7-day requirement won’t be exclusively Los Angeles but will also include venues like New York City, Chicago, Atlanta etc.
Photo Credit: ABC.com
The 93rd Oscars is currently scheduled to air on February 28, 2021, on ABC.
In addition to the Oscars, the 2021 Golden Globes is also expected to make changes to eligibility requirements. This is expected to allow titles that had a theatrical release planned for Los Angeles starting March 15th but weren’t able to screen in theatres due to the COVID-19 shutdown to be nominated.
This is a story that we’ll be following closely here at MickeyBlog, readers are encouraged to keep following along for the latest Disney-related news and updates.
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Source: Variety
