The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has announced that for next year’s 93rd Academy Awards, streamed / VOD films will be eligible. This is a temporary change, brought in because of the shut down of cinemas across the US due to the coronavirus.
A press release from the Oscars’ Board of Governors stated: “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”. Other criteria also have to be met.
The Academy will decide when to end the change once US cinemas reopen. They will also then expand the number of areas where films can have their Oscar-qualifying theatrical runs to include venues in the City of New York; the Bay Area; Chicago, Illinois; Miami, Florida; and Atlanta, Georgia.
Other changes announced will be ongoing: the categories for sound mixing and sound editing are being combined into Best Achievement in Sound, and there are amendments to the Music (Original Score) category, and the International Feature Film category.
After next year’s awards, screeners will no longer be sent out on DVD to voting members as a way to reduce waste.
The Academy tweeted about the changes yesterday:
Here's what you need to know about the #Oscars:
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) April 28, 2020
– For this awards year only, streamed films will be eligible for Best Picture
– Going forward, the Sound Mixing and Sound Editing awards will be combined into one category: Best Sound
For more details: https://t.co/LjBJJHExCN
Check out the full details of the changes on Oscars.org.
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