Films will need to fill diversity guidelines to win best Oscar prize
● Academy has previously faced criticism over lack of inclusion
Fil ms h o p i n g to qu al if y fo r best picture at the Oscars will soon have to meet strict diversity guidelines, the Academy Of Motion Picture Ar ts And Sciences has announced.
The new rules will require s t u d i o s t o b o o s t d i v e r s i t y both in front and behind the camera, as well as in executive roles.
The Academy, which oversees the Oscars, has attracted strong criticism for a lack of diversit y among its winners and nominees, and in recent years has broadened its membership in a bid to fix the problem.
For the 2022 and 2023 ceremonies, a confidential “Acade m y i n c l u s i o n s t a n d a r d s form” will be required to be considered for the top prize. However, meeting the “inclusion thresholds” will not b e required for best picture eligibility until 2024.
A l l o t h e r c a t e g o r i e s w i l l keep their current eligibilit y requirements, the Academy s a i d . I n t h e n e wl y r e ve a l e d g u i d e l i n e s , S t a n d a r d A i s titled “on-screen representation, themes and narratives” and to qualify a film must meet one of three criteria.
They include having at least one “lead or significant sup - por t actor” from an “underrepresented racial or ethnic
group”. The second criteria is called “general ensemble cast” and requires at least 30 per cent of all actors in secondary and more minor roles to be from two “underrepresented groups”, listed by the Academy as women, racial or ethnic groups, LGBTQ+ or disabled people.
The third relates to the “main s t o r y l i n e /s u b j e c t m a t t e r,” which requires the film to be “centred on an underrepre - sented group(s)”.
Standard B, titled “creative
leadership and project team”, is focused on behind-the-camera roles, including directors, editors and hairst ylists, asking they be made up of diverse workers.
It requires at least 30 per cent of the film’s crew to be made up of underrepresented groups.
Standard C is titled “industry access and opportunities” and is concerned with improving diversity among apprentices and interns.
And Standard D, titled “audience development”, requires the studio or film company to have “multiple in-house senior executives” from “underrepresented groups” on their “marketing, publicity, and/or distribution teams”.
A c a d e my p r e s i d e n t D av - id Rubin and chief executive Dawn Hudson said: “The aperture must widen to reflect our diverse global population in both the creation of motion pictures and in the audiences who connect with them.”
“The aperture must widen to reflect our diverse global population”
DAVID RUBIN