The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences met virtually Tuesday and established some new temporary guidelines for the Academy Awards in a Covid-19 era.
The most consequential change is that films that are streaming but did not have a traditional theatrical release can be eligible for Oscar consideration if they had a theatrical date scheduled for 2020. So, for example, Sundance hit Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Always is now Oscar eligible even though it hasn't had a theatrical run and went directly to VOD.
The decision to allow consideration of films that meet the new criteria could have some effect on calculations about films that might normally looking to plays at Telluride, Toronto, Venice (and whatever accomodation is made for Cannes) and New York. Both the studios and the fests have a new wrinkle to contemplate in an already complex and unprecedented situation.
And, of course, from my perspective, the next several months on this blog will be difficult. This decision adds one more layer of difficulty in trying to figure out what films play where.
Other major changes from the Academy meeting were the decision to combine Sound Editing and Sound Mixing into a single Oscar category and a change in voting rules for the International Features Oscar. And finally, it appears that the Academy is committed to an Oscar ceremony for 2020 but is unsure that the currently scheduled date of Fe. 28, 2021 might be arbitrary,
Here's the complete low down on the AMPAS meeting from The Hollywood Reporter.
ANOTHER TAKE ON FALL FILM FESTS AND COVID-19
Rebecca Keegan writing at The Hollywood Reporter this week ran down her assessment of where we are currently with regard to TFF, TIFF, Venice and New York as the Covid-19 pandemic grinds on.
She includes a couple of interesting tidbits that probably should factor into our thinking about what may happen in September and October.
One paragraph that jumped out at me was this:
"Of the four marquee festivals typically used to launch fall films — Venice, Telluride, Toronto and New York — all say they intend to exist in some form this year, and each is exploring different avenues and conferring with each other on safety protocols. Rivals who typically compete to snare the best films are instead now swapping ideas and commiserating about their unprecedented challenges."
That interests me though it doesn't necessarily surprise. The notion that these four fests are "conferring" and "swapping ideas" is what intrigues.
Also of note is this paragraph:
"Hollywood’s shut-down has impacted work on high-profile projects that would have been festival fare, like Guillermo del Toro’s Nightmare Alley for Fox Searchlight and David Fincher’s Mank for Netflix, making them unlikely to be finished in time for a Telluride or Venice bow, even if the festivals proceed."
That sets off some alarm bells for me as both of those films have been in my thinking as potential Telluride players this year.
Keegan also re-states the notion that the studios themselves are in a constant state of limbo in terms of release strategies that remain uncertain and in flux.
With so many variables still in play...making plans and predictions seems nigh on impossible.
Keegan's article is linked here.
LOCARNO SAYS NO TO 2020
Variety reported yesterday that the 73rd Locarno Film Fest in Switzerland has decided to cancel. The fest also chose not to attempt an online version but rather will institute an initiative to support independent cinema.
Locarno artistic director Lili Hinstin is quoted in the article explaining the new initiative:
“directors whose movies have been blocked by the pandemic and are therefore suffering economic damage,”
The complete article by Nick Vivarelli for Variety is here..
EMAIL: mpgort@gmail.com
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