Oscars set diversity requirements for best picture nominees

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Oscars are raising the inclusion bar for best picture nominees, starting with the 96th Academy Awards in 2024, The Guardian reports.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Tuesday, September 8 laid out sweeping eligibility reforms to the best picture category intended to encourage diversity and equitable representation on screen and off, addressing gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity and disability.

The film academy has established four broad representation categories: on screen; among the crew; at the studio; and in opportunities for training and advancement in other aspects of the film’s development and release. To be considered for best picture, films will have to meet two of the four new standards, the Academy said.

Each standard has detailed subcategories as well. To meet the onscreen representation standard, a film must either have at least one lead character or a significant supporting character be from an underrepresented racial or ethnic group; at least 30% of secondary roles must be from two underrepresented groups; or the main storyline, theme or narrative must be focused on an underrepresented group. According to the academy, underrepresented groups include women, people of color, LGBTQ+ people or people with disabilities.

The best picture award, which is handed out to the producers of a film, is the one category every film academy member can vote for. This year, the South Korean film "Parasite" became the first non-English language film to win the award. All other categories will be held to their current eligibility requirements.