The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has published the list of 323 feature films eligible for the 96th Academy Awards. However, 116 of these films will not be in the running for the Best Picture Oscar due to various eligibility issues.
The exclusion arises from two main reasons. First, some filmmakers did not attempt to qualify their films for Best Picture, as is often the case for some documentaries, animated films, or international films.
Secondly, and more specifically, the new diversity and inclusion requirements under the Representation and Inclusion Standards (RAISE) may have disqualified some titles. Although these standards are in their second year, none of the major Best Picture contenders have been particularly affected, suggesting that their impact remains nuanced.
Among the high-profile films excluded from Best Picture consideration are some surprising entries:
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Mrs. Web – Directed by SJ 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 leaves– Michael Keaton’s directorial effort.
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Bad Boys: Ride or Die – The latest chapter in the hit action series.
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Bad girls – The long-awaited musical remake.
Of course, none of these films had a chance to be nominated for the Best Picture Oscar anyway.
Some widely discussed international documentaries and feature films also failed to make the cut, including The extraordinary life of Ibelin, The girl with the needleAND Dahomey. Also, the biopic Waltz With BrandoSelected for makeup and hairstyling, it is absent from the Best Picture list.
The total of 323 eligible films marks a slight increase over last year’s 321. However, only 207 titles are in the running for best picture this year, a significant drop from the 265 films that qualified last year.
By comparison, the pandemic-era Oscars in 2020 saw a record 366 eligible films, thanks to relaxed theatrical requirements.
Academy rules specify that to qualify, films must:
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Open in at least one of six major US cities (Los Angeles, New York, Bay Area, Chicago, Miami or Atlanta).
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Run for seven consecutive days at the same venue.
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Have an autonomy of more than 40 minutes.
These guidelines aim to ensure wide exposure in theaters, but remain an obstacle for some productions.
RAISE added a little 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 promote diversity, their implementation has yet to significantly shake up the pack of major contenders.
For a complete look at eligible films and rules, check out the Academy’s official list.
Source: The Wrap
by Joey Paur
Source: Geek Tyrant
Lloyd Grunewald is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. He is a talented writer who focuses on bringing the latest entertainment-related news to his readers. With a deep understanding of the entertainment industry and a passion for writing, Lloyd delivers engaging articles that keep his readers informed and entertained.
