The Oscars Made A Major Change In Support Of Anime
The Oscar Awards have been recognized as the pinnacle of film awards in the US since 1929. Over nearly 100 years, the rules regarding what films and what roles were eligible have changed drastically, and they’re still being updated. The board in charge of next year’s Academy Awards has just released the rules for the 97th Academy Awards and one of the major updates states films submitted for the International Feature Film category are also allowed to be submitted for the Animated Feature Film category, a major change in support of anime.
More Chances For Recognition
This is great news for anime filmmakers. Anime, which most commonly refers to animated films from Japan or in the style of traditional animated art, is often only eligible for the International Feature Films category. Films can now be nominated in both categories as long as they meet the requirements for both International Feature Films and Animated Feature Films.
A Change To The Schedule
Additionally, the eligibility period for the International Feature Film category to be nominated at the Oscars has been extended. Films released theatrically between November 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024, will now qualify for consideration, granting anime filmmakers a broader timeframe to showcase their creations.
Some Changes For The Lone Star State
But recognizing the intersectionality and versatility of global cinema by allowing for anime movies to be nominated for both International Feature Film and Animated Feature Film Oscars are not the only changes coming to the 97th Academy Awards.
Moving beyond the change that supports anime, in a bid to diversify the geographical scope of qualifying cities in the United States–i.e. cities in which a movie must have at least a one-week theatrical to be considered by the Oscars–the Academy has expanded the list to include the Dallas and Fort Worth area. This addition joins other recognized cities such as Los Angeles County, New York City, the Bay Area, Chicago, Miami, and Atlanta. This change aims to acknowledge the vibrant film cultures beyond traditional cinematic hubs, in another example of the Oscars fostering inclusivity and accessibility for filmmakers nationwide.
Best Picture Changes
Even more rule changes, not related to anime, include alterations to the eligibility requirements for the prestigious Best Picture category. Films seeking consideration must now undergo an extended seven-day theatrical run in at least 10 of the top 50 U.S. markets within 45 days of their initial release. The Oscar rules state that non-U.S. territories can contribute to this requirement, with each non-U.S. market counting as two of the ten mandated markets, given that they include the top 15 international theatrical markets alongside the film’s home territory.
Additionally, films with late-year releases necessitating an extended theatrical run after January 10, 2025, must submit comprehensive release plans to the Academy for validation, ensuring adherence to the stipulated guidelines.
Steps In The Right Direction
The changes made, including the rule changes in favor of anime and the Best Picture changes, are part of an even larger collection of adjustments for the 97th Academy Awards. The adjustments affect multiple Oscar categories and the full list of the current rules can be found on the Academy’s website.
Source: Oscars.org
