Oscars: Film Academy extends minimum theatrical release required for Best Picture eligibility

Beginning in 2024, films will no longer become eligible for the Best Picture Oscar with just one week of theatrical release in an approved city, but will require a longer stay in theaters, the Academy of Motion Picture announced Wednesday Arts and Sciences. A move apparently intended to strengthen cinemas and underline the difference between works created for the big and small screens.

The Academy’s board of directors earlier this month approved the new requirements, which, again, won’t impact the current season’s Oscar contenders.

Upon completion of an initial qualifying run — currently defined as a week-long theatrical release in one of six qualifying U.S. cities — a film will need to meet the following additional theatrical standards for Best Picture eligibility, including an extended theatrical run days, consecutive or non-consecutive, in 10 of the top 50 U.S. markets, no later than 45 days after initial release in 2024. For year-end films with expansions after January 10, 2025, distributors must submit plans exit to the Academy for verification.

Year-end film release plans must include a planned expanded theatrical run, as described above, to be completed on or before January 24, 2025; Non-US territory releases count for two of the 10 markets; Qualifying markets outside the United States include the top 15 international film markets plus the film’s territory of origin.

While virtually all releases from traditional Hollywood studios meet these requirements, they’re more likely to impact the plans — and wallets — of streamers, indies, and overseas distributors, who typically don’t keep films in theaters in major cities for a while. such a long time. However, it is understood that stakeholders of all kinds were consulted in arriving at the new requirements.

“As we do every year, we have reviewed and evaluated our theater eligibility requirements for the Oscars,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and president of the Academy Janet Yang said in a statement. “In support of our mission to celebrate and honor the arts and sciences of film, we hope this expanded theatrical footprint will increase the visibility of films around the world and encourage audiences to experience our art form in a theatrical setting. Based on many conversations with industry partners, we believe this evolution benefits film artists and film lovers alike.”