The Oscars: Here are the new rules and changes that the Academy has adopted

The Academy announces updates to its regulations, procedures, and Special Awards.

Hollywoods most prestigious award show, The Oscars, are undergoing a significant change in their rules and campaign protocols as introduced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) for its 97th edition, slated for March 2nd, the following year. Heres what they are in brief:

The Academy has updated its rules to support traditional cinemas, reports The Hollywood Reporter. Movies now need to be screened for a week in specific major cities like Los Angeles, New York, the Bay Area, Chicago, Atlanta, and the newly added Dallas-Fort Worth. They must also meet higher theatrical standards in various US and international markets.

According to a directive issued by the board in June 2023, but now coming into effect, films vying for the best picture Oscar must adhere to additional theatrical criteria alongside at least two of the four Academy's Representation and Inclusion Standards. These new criteria include:

1. A prolonged theatrical showing of seven days in 10 of the leading 50 U.S. markets within 45 days of the initial release in 2024.
2. For late-year releases with expansions post Jan. 10, 2025, distributors must furnish release plans for Academy verification.
3. Release plans for late-year releases must entail a scheduled prolonged theatrical run, as outlined, concluding no later than Jan. 24, 2025.
4. International releases outside the U.S. can contribute to two of the required 10 markets.
5. Eligible international markets comprise the top 15 global theatrical markets plus the film's home territory.

Harmony reigns between the animated feature and international feature categories:
In the future, foreign animated films can now compete for both the best international feature film Oscar and the best animated feature film category, given they meet the eligibility criteria. (The eligibility period for international feature films has also been adjusted to run from November 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024).

Composers set to benefit too:
The original score category has expanded its shortlist to 20 titles from the previous 15. Additionally, up to three composers can now each receive an individual award if their full contribution to the score is demonstrated, a change sure to please composers. Previously, they were required to submit as a group.

Writers must now show their work:
In order to be considered for the best adapted screenplay or best original screenplay Oscars, writers are now required to furnish a final shooting script.

Special awards receive major changes:
The Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, which honors a producer known for consistently high-quality film production, will now be given in the form of an Oscar statuette from the previous MGM production chief’s head.

The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award's description was updated to specify the diverse range of humanitarian actions it encompasses. It will now be honored “to an individual in the motion picture industry whose humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry by promoting human welfare and contributing to rectifying inequities.”

The Scientific and Technical Awards have rebranded two significant honors: The Gordon E. Sawyer Award is now the "Scientific and Technical Lifetime Achievement Award," while the John A. Bonner Award has been renamed as the "Scientific and Technical Service Award.”