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April 30, 2020
The Academy approves Rules and Regulations for 93rd Oscars.
For This Awards Year Only, Streamed Films To Be Eligible for Oscars.
Sound Mixing and Sound Editing Awards Combined into One Sound Category.
Photo: Salma Hayek arrives on the red carpet of The 92nd Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, CA, on Sunday, February 9, 2020. Image provided by & Copyright © Valerie Durant / A.M.P.A.S. [File Photo]
Photo: Oscar nominee, Antonio Banderas, and Stella Banderas arrive on the red carpet of The 92nd Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, CA, on Sunday, February 9, 2020. Image provided by & Copyright © Valerie Durant / A.M.P.A.S. [File Photo]
Photo: Oscar nominee, Todd Phillips, and guest arrive on the red carpet of The 92nd Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, CA, on Sunday, February 9, 2020. Image provided by & Copyright © Nick Argo / A.M.P.A.S. [File Photo]
LOS ANGELES, CA — The Academy’s Board of Governors has approved rules and campaign regulations for the 93rd Academy Awards.
The devastating COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of all Los Angeles County movie theaters as of Monday, March 16, 2020. Current Academy Awards rules require that a film be shown in a commercial motion picture theater in Los Angeles County for a theatrical qualifying run of at least seven consecutive days, during which period screenings must occur at least three times daily.
Until further notice, and for the 93rd Awards year only, films that had a previously planned theatrical release but are initially made available on commercial streaming or V.O.D. service may qualify in the Best Picture, general entry and specialty categories for the 93rd Academy Awards under these provisions:
- The film must be made available on the secure Academy Screening Room member-only streaming site within 60 days of the film’s streaming or V.O.D. release.
- The film must meet all other eligibility requirements.
On a date that the Academy would determine, and when theaters reopen by federal, state, and local specified guidelines and criteria, this rules exemption will no longer apply. All films released after that would need to comply with the standard Academy theatrical qualifying requirements.
“The Academy firmly believes there is no more excellent way to experience the magic of movies than to see them in a theater. 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 its members and colleagues during this time of uncertainty. We recognize the importance of their work, especially now, when audiences appreciate movies more than ever,” said Academy President David Rubin and C.E.O. Dawn Hudson.
For films to more easily meet theatrical exhibition requirements when theaters reopen, the Academy also will expand the number of qualifying theaters beyond Los Angeles County to include venues in additional U.S. metropolitan areas: the City of New York; the Bay Area; Chicago, Illinois; Miami, Florida; and Atlanta, Georgia. The Awards and Events Committee will evaluate all matters of rules and eligibility.
Film festivals that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic may provide films online through either a transactional paywall or password-protected entry, which will not affect the movie’s eligibility for future Academy Awards qualification. The Academy will allow an exemption for those films that are released online through an impacted festival’s online platform, provided that proof of inclusion in the festival is submitted.
The Board of Governors also announced rules changes in the Sound, Music, and International Feature Film categories.
- The two Sound categories, Sound Mixing, and Sound Editing have been combined into one award for best achievement in Sound that emphasizes the team effort.
- In the Music (Original Score) category, for a score to be eligible, it must comprise a minimum of 60% original music. Additionally, for sequels and franchise films, it must have a minimum of 80% new music.
- In a procedural change in the International Feature Film category, the Academy would now invite all eligible Academy members to participate in the preliminary round of voting. For the first time, film submissions will be made available through the Academy Screening Room streaming platform to those members who opt-in. These members of the International Feature Film Preliminary Voting committee must meet a minimum viewing requirement to be eligible to vote in the category.
The following campaign regulations were also approved:
- The provision prohibiting quotes or comments by Academy members not directly associated with the film in any form of advertising in any medium, including online and social media, was eliminated. Academy governors and Awards and Events Committee members, however, are still prohibited from participating in such activity.
- All screeners will be required to include closed captioning.
- After nominations, film companies will be allowed to send mailings announcing the availability of song and bake-off materials on the Academy’s streaming platform.
- As part of the Academy’s sustainability effort, the 93rd Awards season will be the final year DVD screeners will be allowed to be distributed. The distribution of physical music C.D.s, screenplays, and hardcopy mailings, including but not limited to paper invites and screening schedules, will also be discontinued next year. Digital links to materials will be permitted.
Due to the shifting landscape surrounding the global pandemic caused by COVID-19, all matters of rules and eligibility for the 93rd Academy Awards are subject to change based on national guidelines, state-mandated government orders, and Academy-determined best practices.
Additional adjustments to Academy rules, eligibility requirements, and schedules may be required. As previously announced, the 93rd Oscars telecast is scheduled to air Sunday, February 28, 2021, on A.B.C., the Academy said.
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 5:19 AM | Link to this Post