DIVERSITY – In recent years, diversity and inclusion have become real issues in the film industry, especially for the Oscars. As part of the “Academy Aperture 2025” initiative, the Academy of Oscars has announced new rules of representation and inclusion for nominees for the Best Picture category.
From 2024, for the 96th Academy Awards, candidate productions in this premier category will have to reach an inclusion threshold by meeting at least two of the four new diversity criteria, reports Variety.
For now, all other Oscar categories will retain their current eligibility criteria. However, animated feature films, documentaries and international films that submit their application for the best film will be treated separately.
Four diversity criteria
For a number of years, the Academy has endeavored to offer films presenting a great diversity of actors, directors and technical craftsmen. In 2016, when no one of color had been named among the 20 Oscar nominees, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, then president of the Academy, made a historic decision by pledging to double the number of women and people of diverse origins and ethnicities by 2020, which she has indeed achieved.
Current Academy President David Rubin and Executive Director Dawn Hudson said in a joint statement: “The openness must expand to reflect the diversity of our global population, both in filmmaking and in the audience watching them. The Academy is committed to playing a vital role in helping to make this goal a reality ”.
The diversity criteria for the best film category are therefore as follows:
Criterion n ° 1: The representation on the screen, the themes and stories discussed
To fulfill criterion n ° 1, the film must respect at least one of the following rules:
– At least one of the main actors or important secondary actors is from an under-represented ethnic group. (Asian, Hispanic, Black / African American, Native / Native American / Native of Alaska, Middle East / North Africa, Native of Hawaii or another Pacific Island or other under-represented ethnicity).
– At least 30% of the cast is from at least two of the following under-represented groups: women, ethnic group, LGBTQ, people with cognitive or physical disabilities, or deaf or hard of hearing.
– The main story, theme or narrative of the film centers around one or more under-represented groups: women, ethnic group, LGBTQ, people with cognitive or physical disabilities, or deaf or hard of hearing.
Criterion n ° 2: The artistic direction and the project team
To meet criterion 2, the film must comply with at least one of the following rules:
– At least two of the artistic directors and department heads are from the following under-represented groups: women, ethnic group, LGBTQ, people with cognitive or physical disabilities, deaf or hard of hearing.
– At least six other team or technician positions are occupied by people from an under-represented ethnic group.
– At least 30% of the film crew are from the following under-represented groups: women, ethnic group, LGBTQ, people with cognitive or physical disabilities, deaf or hard of hearing.
Criterion 3: Access and opportunities in the film industry
To meet criterion 3, the film must comply with at least one of the following rules:
– The film’s distribution or financing company paid for apprenticeships or internships to people from under-represented groups.
Large studios / distributors are required to offer permanent paid apprenticeships / internships, including for under-represented groups, in the following departments: production / development, post-production, music, special effects, commercial affairs, distribution, marketing and advertising. Smaller independent studios / distributors must have at least two apprentices / trainees from under-represented groups in at least one of the departments listed above.
– The film production, distribution and / or financing company offers training and / or work opportunities to people belonging to under-represented groups.
Criterion n ° 4: Audience development
To meet criterion 4, the film must respect this rule:
– The studio and / or film company has several executives from under-represented groups (including people from under-represented ethnic groups) in its marketing, advertising and / or distribution teams.
See also on The HuffPost: Ladj Ly’s “Les Misérables” nominated for an Oscar
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To be nominated for the Oscars, films will soon have to meet diversity criteria