New Oscar rules allow films that weren’t playing in theaters to be eligible for the 2021 ceremony

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New Oscar rules allow films that weren’t playing in theaters to be eligible for the 2021 ceremony

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has done away with one of its longstanding eligibility requirements for the 2021 Oscars, due to COVID-19.

The Academy’s board of governors met on Tuesday, where they approved a ‘temporary hold’ on the requirement that a film must play in at least one theater in Los Angeles for seven consecutive days, according to Variety.

While this opens the door for films whose theatrical releases have been delayed or eliminated due to the coronavirus outbreak, it doesn’t mean every streaming movie will be eligible.

Oscar-eligible: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has done away with one of its longstanding eligibility requirements for the 2021 Oscars, due to COVID-19

The films that will be eligible under the new rules must have had a theatrical release already in place, before the COVID-19  outbreak led to theaters closing en masse.

This means that films which were only being planned for release on streaming services like Netflix or other VOD formats, without a theatrical release, will not be eligible.

A new requirement for eligibility is each film must be made available on the Academy Screening Room site, which  can only be accessed by AMPAS members.

Theaters: The films that will be eligible under the new rules must have had a theatrical release already in place, before the COVID-19 outbreak led to theaters closing en masse

‘The Academy firmly believes there is no greater 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 is unchanged and unwavering. Nonetheless, the historically tragic COVID-19 pandemic necessitates this temporary exception to our awards eligibility rules,’ the statement added.  

‘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,’ the statement concluded.

Theatrical experience: ‘The Academy firmly believes there is no greater 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

This measure will only be in place while theaters remain closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and once theaters are open, the seven-day rule will be enacted again.

The Academy also announced that they are expanding the amount of qualifying theaters beyond Los Angeles, with movies that play for seven straight days in New York City, the Bay Area, Chicago, Miami and Atlanta now eligible as well.

The board of directors also voted on eliminating one of the 26 awards, with the Sound Mixing and Sound Editing awards being combined into one award.

Closed: This measure will only be in place while theaters remain closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and once theaters are open, the seven-day rule will be enacted again

While there is no indication on what the condensed award will be called yet, the change was initiated by the sound branch of AMPAS.

The Academy also revealed that, for the first time ever, all AMPAS members will be allowed to vote in the preliminary round for Best Foreign Language Film.

They also made changes to the Best Original Score category, adding that a score must contain a minimum of 60% original music, though for sequels and other franchise films, there must be 80% original music.

Academy first: The Academy also revealed that, for the first time ever, all AMPAS members will be allowed to vote in the preliminary round for Best Foreign Language Film

AMPAS is also continuing its efforts to be more sustainable, voting to eliminate DVD screeners as they expand the Academy Screening Room platform, with distributors of Oscar hopefuls charged $12,500 to screen on the platform.  

There hasn’t been a host of the ceremony for the past few years, and it’s unclear if the Academy discussed any changes on that front yet.

The 93rd Annual Oscars telecast is slated to take place on Sunday, February 28, 2021, on ABC. 

Oscar Sunday: AMPAS is also continuing its efforts to be more sustainable, voting to eliminate DVD screeners as they expand the Academy Screening Room platform, with distributors of Oscar hopefuls charged $12,500 to screen on the platform

 

Source: Daily Mail US

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