The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has released its list of 323 feature films eligible for the 96th Academy Awards. However, 116 of these films won’t be in the running for the Best Picture Oscar due to various eligibility issues.
The exclusion stems from two primary reasons. First, some filmmakers didn’t attempt to qualify their films for Best Picture, often the case for certain documentaries, animated, or international films.
Second, and more notably, new diversity and inclusion requirements under the Representation and Inclusion Standards (RAISE) may have disqualified some titles. While these standards are in their second year, no major Best Picture contenders were notably affected, suggesting their impact remains nuanced.
Among the high-profile films excluded from Best Picture consideration are some surprising entries:
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Madame Web – Directed by S.J Clark and starring Dakota Johnson.
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Bird – Directed by Andrea Arnold and starring Barry Keoghan.
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Woman of the Year – Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut.
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Knox Goes Away– Michael Keaton’s directorial effort.
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Bad Boys: Ride or Die – The latest installment of the hit action franchise.
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Mean Girls – The much-anticipated musical remake.
Obviously, none of these films really had a chance at being nominated for a Best Picture Oscar anyway.
Even a few widely discussed documentaries and international features didn’t make the cut, including The Remarkable Life of Ibelin, The Girl With the Needle, and Dahomey. Additionally, the biopic Waltz With Brando, shortlisted in makeup and hairstyling, is absent from the Best Picture lineup.
The total of 323 eligible films marks a slight increase over last year’s 321. Yet, only 207 titles are in the runner for Best Picture this year, a significant drop from the 265 films that qualified last year.
Comparatively, the pandemic-era Oscars in 2020 saw a record 366 eligible films, thanks to relaxed theatrical requirements.
The Academy’s rules specify that to qualify, films must:
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Open in at least one of six major U.S. cities (Los Angeles, New York, the Bay Area, Chicago, Miami, or Atlanta).
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Run for seven consecutive days in the same venue.
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Have a runtime exceeding 40 minutes.
These guidelines aim to ensure broad theatrical exposure, but they remain a hurdle for some productions.
RAISE has added a bit more complexity for Best Picture hopefuls, requiring films to meet specific benchmarks for representation both on-screen and behind the camera. While these standards aim to foster diversity, their implementation has yet to shake up the pool of major contenders significantly.
For a complete look at the eligible films and rules, check out the Academy’s official list.
Source: The Wrap
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