Oscar rules for foreign film entries are changing, and it might prevent a RRR vs Chhello Show-type situation
Unless you have been living under a rock or Planet Mars, chances are that you know of the RRR hype and how it made the West dance at all the big international film festivals. However, RRR - a festival circuit favourite and the White West's darling - perhaps missed an Oscar for the Best International Feature for the simple reason that it was not India's official entry. Gujarati film Chhello Show (The Last Film Show) was instead chosen as India's official entry to the Oscars.
There was speculation that the Film Federation of India, a government body, chose a Gujarati movie as India's official entry because the state elections were just round the corner. Given RRR's trajectory at international awards last year (and this year), an Oscar was but a foregone conclusion. But then...
Good news: The Academy guidelines are changing this year.
The Academy has revised the rules for the International Feature Film category, mandating that selection committees worldwide, in all countries that submit a film for Oscar consideration, must comprise at least 50% of filmmakers, artists, and/or craftspeople
What this means: The Academy is instructing every country, including those with government-run selection committees, on how to choose their Oscar films.
- This change could diminish the political bias in some of these selections, but it is unlikely to make a difference if a country does not want to submit a banned or controversial film as its submission.
Additionally, the inclusion standards for Best Picture eligibility, which were announced in 2020, will now be enforced.
After their initial announcement in 2020, the Academy's Inclusion Standards requirements will come into effect for the 96th Oscars.
To be eligible for the Best Picture category, each film must satisfy the requirements of two of the four Inclusion Standards and complete a new Representation and Inclusion Entry Form (RAISE) when submitted.
- In response to the controversy surrounding the grassroots Oscar campaign for To Leslie that resulted in an extremely controversial Best Actress nomination for actress Andrea Riseborough, the Board of Governors has revised the rules for Oscar campaigning.
In an attempt to clarify the campaign regulations for private events, the Academy is permitting private gatherings that include members, without the "For Your Consideration" (FYC) event classification. This means that movie distributors and producers are can no longer pay or endorse their films at such private events.
Academy members can also no longer use their direct emails or social media to promote any of their favourite films and discuss voting strategy. The notorious 'Anonymous ballot' stories, which have become increasingly popular, are also not allowed.
- The Academy is developing ways to enforce these new rules by creating a reporting process for violations or concerns (promotionalregulations@oscars.org) and a review process and penalties for the same.
The Academy is significantly reducing the number of hosted screenings a movie can have, which had previously been unlimited.
- In recent years, campaigners have relied on celebrity filmmakers to host screenings, but these will now be limited to a maximum of four during the pre-Oscar nomination period.
- Following the nomination announcement, no screenings can be held.
- However, Q&A sessions and panel discussions can be held for as many times as campaigners would like, before and after nominations.
Finally, the Academy is prohibiting the sending of any physical marketing materials, from postcards to screening schedules, in the interest of sustainability.
Here's a quick rundown of The Academy's new list of rules and regulations for this year's Oscars, including inclusivity mandates and campaigning criteria:
- The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, along with ABC, has declared that the 96th Academy Awards ceremony will be held on March 10, 2024, and will air live on ABC, broadcasting globally from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles to over 200 territories.
Several crucial dates have been added to the calendar, including
- the deadline for submission of general entry categories on November 15,
- the Governors Awards on November 18,
- the announcement of Oscar shortlists on December 21,
- and the Oscar nominations announcement on January 23, 2024.
The Board of Governors of the Academy convened on Friday and approved several changes to the rules for the 96th Oscars, scheduled for March 10, 2024.
The modified regulations cover new criteria for countries submitting films for the Best International Feature Oscar, stricter campaign restrictions, and revised General Entry eligible release dates.
To know more about Oscar campaigning and the awards race, have a look at How To Win An Oscar
ALSO READ: RRR has an Oscar nomination for Naatu Naatu but a Best Picture nom was tough to begin with