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The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has modified its Oscar eligibility rules in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
During a meeting Tuesday, the board of governors approved a temporary suspension on the requirement that a film require a seven-day theatrical performance at a commercial theater in Los Angeles County to qualify for the Oscars.
Instead, the digital release of films will be allowed without them being screened in theaters. However, that doesn’t mean that any movie released on a streaming service is eligible for the Oscar Gold. To be considered, the broadcast movie must have already had a planned theatrical release. The movie must also be available on the Academy Screening Room streaming site for members only within 60 days of the movie’s release or VOD.
“The Academy firmly believes that there is no better way to experience the magic of movies than to see them in a theater,” Academy President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson said in a statement. “Our commitment to that has not changed and is unshakable. However, the historically tragic COVID-19 pandemic needs this temporary exception to our award eligibility rules. The Academy supports our members and colleagues during this time of uncertainty. We recognize the importance of their work being seen and celebrated, especially now, when audiences appreciate movies more than ever. ”
Once the theaters are reopened, the seven-day window will again be required for eligibility. Photos that have already been broadcast do not have to be released in theaters. When theaters reopen, the Academy will also expand the number of qualified theaters beyond Los Angeles County to include venues in New York City, the Bay Area, Chicago, Miami, and Atlanta.
The Academy also announced that it will remove an Oscar category. The sound mixing and editing categories will be combined into one award, reducing the total number of categories featured in the program to 23. This change was initiated by the sound branch.
In addition, for the first time, all members of the Academy will be invited to participate in the preliminary round of voting for the international feature film. Members must meet a minimum display requirement to vote.
In the original score category, the board voted that a score must comprise a minimum of 60% original music. Also, for sequels and franchise movies, a score must have a minimum of 80% new music.
In keeping with the Academy’s continued efforts to be more sustainable, the board also voted to remove DVD players. Like the television academy’s edict, DVD commercials will be banned after this year. In October, the Academy expanded its Streaming Room platform to include the best movie applicants after its incorporation of documentaries, animated films, and short films. Distributors pay $ 12,500 per movie to screen on the platform.
The 93rd Oscars telecast will air on February 28, 2021 on ABC.
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is also making changes to its 2021 Golden Globes eligibility rules, including allowing studios to provide screening links for voting members instead of having movies at third-party facilities. .
Rather than consider only movies released in theaters, or available via pay-per-view cable or pay-per-view digital delivery (not subscription cable or digital delivery) in the Los Angeles metropolitan area for a minimum of seven days before December 31. The HFPA will now consider titles that had a theatrical release planned to begin in Los Angeles beginning March 15, with no deadline.
The SAG Awards eligibility rules are expected to be announced in July.
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