Six weeks ago the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced they were “evaluating all aspects” of a future Oscars season in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. After today’s meeting of the Academy’s Board of Governors, we now have a better idea of what that will entail. And for streamers is a big deal, but just for 2020.
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AMPAS notes: “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
And of course, the big asterisk moving forward is the following: “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. All films released thereafter will be expected to comply with the standard Academy theatrical qualifying requirements.”
What this means for films such as HBO’s “Bad Education,” which never announced a theatrical release, but could have following its premiere at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival is unclear. One would assume there will definitely be releases that will fall into a grey-zone that the Academy will have to look at on a case by case basis.
In a joint statement Academy President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson noted, “The Academy firmly believes there is no greater 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 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.”
Additionally, 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.
But wait, there is more.
As long-rumored, the two Sound categories have now been combined into one award Sound achievement honor. Yes, Best Sound Mixing and Sound Editing are no more. Sound Mixing was first handed out in 1931 to “The Big House.” The first Sound Editing Oscar went to “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” in 1964. This past February, the Sound Mixing Oscar went to “1917” while the Sound Editing honor went to “Ford v. Ferrari.” The twist in this new award is that instead of three Oscars being handed out, a team of up to six engineers and artists can be submitted.
Another change comes 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, a score must have a minimum of 80% new music. This new rule clearly puts the emphasis on original films earning priority in the music branch. Considering “Star Wars” films earned nominations three out of the last five years, this is a rule that’s long overdue.
In a massive procedural change in the International Feature Film category, all eligible Academy members will now be invited 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 in order to be eligible to vote in the category. What the minimum viewing requirement as of yet was not announced.
Additionally, the following campaign changes were revealed:
The regulation 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. This is a huge move from the Academy. It effectively makes up for the fact there will likely be less Q&As and in-person events this Academy season.
After the nominations are announced, 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; these mailings will be discontinued starting in 2021 for the 94th Academy Awards. Access to the Academy Screening Room will continue to be made available for all eligible releases. The distribution of physical music CDs, 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. This will be a rough change for some older members of the Academy but will save companies millions (literally millions) in production costs. All screeners whether in digital or physical form will also be required to include closed captioning.
The Academy also made clear, “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.”
The 93rd Academy Awards are currently scheduled for February 27, 2021. The Academy said that any updated information on this will be revealed at a later time.
