Tougher Oscar qualification will affect streaming and foreign films

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced this Thursday significant changes to the Oscars qualification rules that will tighten the criteria for domestic distribution, allowing for a wider presence in theaters, which will affect “streaming” and foreign films.

The change will come into effect from next year and will affect films released in 2024. To qualify for the Best Picture award at the 97th Academy Awards in 2025, films must have a wider distribution in the US.

These films must be released in at least eight of the 50 largest regional markets in North America, in addition to their home territory and one of the 15 largest international film markets. They will also need to be in the theater for more than a week, which is the current minimum criteria.

For example, a Portuguese film must premiere in Portugal and nine US regions to be considered for nomination, or eight North American markets plus one of the top 15 international markets.

In theory, it could also only be released in the top 10 markets in North America, although this was unlikely.

What is certain is that the changes affect all films, whether international or North American: now they are all required to have a wider distribution in theaters.

Now the film will not only have to play a week in theaters in at least one of the six cities designated by the Academy – Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami or Atlanta – but also expand its presence. presence in more territories over the next 45 days.

After that first week, the film will have to be screened for a further seven days in at least 10 major markets in North America, or the eight largest markets in the US and two internationally.

Most major studios should have no problem meeting the criteria, which will primarily affect “streaming” networks such as Netflix and Apple TV+, independent films and international distributors.

Academy CEO Bill Cramer and president Janet Young said in a statement that the revised criteria will serve to boost films’ presence in theaters at a time when more and more streaming network nominations are emerging. ‘ who invest limited funds in non-television distribution.

In 2022, Apple TV+’s ‘CODA’ won the Best Picture Oscar with near-zero theatrical release.

In 2023, the German Netflix film Nothing New in the West was nominated for several Oscars, including Best Picture, and received four statuettes.

“Supporting our mission to celebrate and honor the art and science of cinema, we hope this expanded presence in cinemas will increase the popularity of films around the world and encourage viewers to experience our art in a theatrical environment,” it said in a statement. statement.

“Based on numerous conversations with industry partners, we believe this evolution benefits both artists and film lovers alike.”

These distribution criteria will not affect the other Oscar categories, but will be necessary for the Best Picture nomination, the most coveted of all.