(UTV | Colombo) – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ board of governors gathered virtually yesterday to discuss and approve many changes regarding the next Academy Awards.
The coronavirus pandemic shutdown has forced a rethink of much of the way entertainment industry does things, especially some of its more ceremonial traditions and eligibility rules. It’s on the latter front that AMPAS has decided to shake things up – at least until the current pandemic crisis passes. AMPAS says:
“Until further notice, and for the 93rd Awards year only, films that had a previously planned theatrical release but are initially made available on a commercial streaming or VOD 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 VOD release.
– The film must meet all other eligibility requirements.
On a date to be determined by the Academy, and when theaters reopen in accordance with federal, state and local specified guidelines and criteria, this rules exemption will no longer apply.”
Along with opening up eligibility for VOD and streaming releases, the Academy will also expand the number of qualifying theaters so that movies can more easily meet theatrical exhibition requirements and not have to be shown in a “consecutive seven-day run in a theater in Los Angeles County”. Venues in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Miami and Atlanta will now also allow for that qualification.
Meanwhile the two Sound categories of Sound Mixing and Sound Editing have now been combined into one award – the sound achievement honor. The category, which is normally limited to three Oscars being handed out, will now be able to include a team of up to six engineers and artists.
The Music (Original Score) category has been changed and now, for a score to be eligible, it must comprise a minimum of 60% original music unless it’s a sequel or franchise film where the score must have a minimum of 80% new music – effectively making original films take the priority.
All eligible Academy members will now be invited to participate in the preliminary round of voting for the International Feature Film category and, 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 must meet a minimum viewing requirement in order to be eligible to vote in the category.
The regulation prohibiting quotes or comments by Academy members not directly associated with the film in any form of advertising in any medium has been eliminated. The upcoming season will also be the final year DVD screeners, music CDs, screenplays, hardcopy mailings, paper invites and screening schedules will be allowed to be distributed. Digital links to materials will be permitted, and all screeners whether in digital or physical form will also be required to include closed captioning.
For now, the 93rd Academy Awards are currently scheduled for February 27th 2021.