Oscars’ Best Picture Hopefuls need to spend more time at the movies
In an effort to signal Hollywood’s commitment to the movie theater experience, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said Wednesday that an expanded theatrical release is needed for films to be considered for a Best Picture nomination.
The new eligibility rule will certainly affect how Netflix and other streaming services release movies they deem Oscar-worthy. And it could be a barrier to smaller distributors who don’t have the resources to release films in cities across the United States.
Oscar-oriented films have struggled mightily at the box office in recent years, leading some people to wonder if the importance of big screens has been forever changed by the streaming age. In 2022, Apple TV+’s CODA was the first movie from a streaming service to win the Best Picture Oscar.
To be eligible for a Best Picture nomination, films must have a first-run in theaters, defined as a week-long release in one of six U.S. cities (New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, San Francisco of Miami). ). Beginning in 2024, those films will also be required to be in theaters for an additional seven days (consecutive or non-consecutive) in 10 of the 50 largest U.S. markets, no later than 45 days after initial release. Two of the 10 markets in the extended release may be outside the United States if they are among the top 15 international theater markets.
The move, voted on by the academy’s board of directors at its most recent meeting, is a clear attempt to prevent streaming companies like Netflix, which prefer to release movies on their services with as little theatrical presence as possible. , undermining the cinema experience.
“It is our hope that this expanded theatrical footprint will increase the visibility of films worldwide and encourage audiences to experience our art form in a theatrical setting,” said the academy’s director, Bill Kramer, and president, Janet Yang, in a statement. a statement. “Based on many conversations with industry partners, we believe this evolution will benefit both film artists and film enthusiasts.”
For films released late in the year, the distributors must submit their plans for the extended release. Those plans must be ready for the 2024 films by January 24, 2025 at the latest.
Netflix said the eligibility requirements would not have a significant effect on its release strategy. It noted that “All Quiet on the Western Front,” which was nominated for best picture this year, was released in 35 theaters in 20 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Toronto.