Hollywood’s Academy sets new rules for Oscars’ best film eligibility

Los Angeles, US, June 21 (EFE).- Hollywood’s Academy on Wednesday announced new eligibility requirements for the Best Picture category, starting with the 97th edition of the Oscars in March 2025.

After an initial qualifying run, defined as a one-week theatrical release in one of the six United States qualifying cities, contenders must also meet additional requirements, according to the Academy’s board in a statement.

Now films must have been shown for an additional seven consecutive or non-consecutive days in 10 of the 50 most important US markets no later than 45 days after the initial release in 2024. Screening outside the US can count towards two of these markets.

For late-in-the-year films with expansions after Jan. 10, 2025, distributors must submit release plans, including a planned expanded theatrical run, to the Academy for verification, and these plans must be completed no later than Jan. 24, 2025.

“It is our hope that this expanded theatrical footprint will increase the visibility of films worldwide and encourage audiences to experience our artform in a theatrical setting,” said the Academy’s CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang after the decision was approved by the 54 members of the board of governors.

The Academy looks to counteract the weight of streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon and Apple, which are working in many cases as showcases for contending films with little projection in theaters.

However, the new criteria could be detrimental to smaller budget independent films, which will now have to fight for a place in a context where platform films will have the advantage of distribution investment. EFE

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