LOS ANGELES (REUTERS) – The organisers of the Oscars said on Tuesday (April 28) that films released only on streaming platforms or video on demand while movie theatres are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic would be eligible for Academy Awards next year.
The temporary change, which will apply only for next year's Oscars and will lapse when movie theatres reopen across the nation, was announced in a statement by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Previously, a movie had to be screened in a movie theatre in Los Angeles for at least seven days in order to be eligible for Oscar consideration.
"The Academy firmly believes there is no greater way to experience the magic of movies than to see them in a theatre. Our commitment to that is unchanged and unwavering. Nonetheless, the historically tragic Covid-19 pandemic necessitates this temporary exception to our awards eligibility rules," president David Rubin and chief executive Dawn Hudson said, referring to the disease caused by the virus.
Streaming platforms like Netflix have upended Hollywood, drawing A-list stars such as Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese and producing award-winning content like 2019 best foreign language winner Roma that have rivalled what traditional movie studios can offer.
Movie theatres across the United States shut their doors in mid-March, forcing the postponement of major film releases.
The three main movie theatre chains – AMC, Regal and Cinemark – have said they do not expect to reopen until late June or July.
Some films, including Universal PicturRead More – Source
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