The Oscars, widely regarded as Hollywood’s top film awards, are set to see notable alterations as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has implemented revised regulations and campaign guidelines for its 97th ceremony, scheduled for March 2nd the following year.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Academy has updated the requirements for films to support conventional cinema theaters.
In a new directive, movies must now be showcased for a minimum of one week in specific urban regions, such as Los Angeles County, New York City, the Bay Area, Chicago, Atlanta, and the latest inclusion, Dallas-Fort Worth. Furthermore, they must adhere to enhanced theatrical criteria across various markets in the United States and internationally.
A noteworthy change is the merging of the animated feature and international feature categories. Animated films submitted by foreign nations are now eligible for consideration in both categories, subject to meeting the necessary criteria. Additionally, composers stand to gain from these modifications.
Changes are underway for the special awards presented at the Governors Awards ceremony. The Irving G Thalberg Memorial Award will no longer take the form of a bust; instead, it will be represented by an Oscar statuette. Additionally, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award has been redefined to recognize humanitarian endeavors that advance human welfare and address disparities.
Moreover, adjustments have been made to two awards at the Scientific and Technical Awards to better acknowledge technological contributions. Additionally, important deadlines for submissions have been specified, underscoring the significance of submitting entries promptly across categories such as animated short films, documentary features, and international feature films.