Are Movies Released Only via Online Streaming Services Eligible for Academy Awards?

Movie streaming services like Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Apple TV have revolutionized the way we consume movies. However, for films to be eligible for the prestigious Academy Awards (or Oscars) in any category, they must adhere to strict eligibility rules set by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Specifically, this includes the requirement for a theatrical release with certain criteria. In this article, we will explore these rules and debunk common misconceptions.

Specific Rules for Oscar Eligibility

The Academy's eligibility rules are outlined in _rules.pdf and are quite stringent. To qualify for an Oscar nomination, a film must meet the following criteria:

1. Feature Length:

To be considered, a film must be of feature length, defined as over 40 minutes.

2. Public Exhibition:

The film must be publicly exhibited and meet one of the following formats:

35mm or 70mm film Digital Cinema with a minimum projector resolution of 2048 by 1080 pixels, conforming to the D-Cinema Distribution Master –Image Characteristics and image compression conforming to ISO/IEC 15444-1 JPEG 2000.

Blu-ray does not meet D-Cinema requirements.

3. Audio Format:

The audio in a Digital Cinema Package (DCP) must be 5.1 or 7.1 channels of discrete sound. The minimum configuration should include at least three channels (left, center, right), with a left/right configuration not acceptable in a theatrical environment.

Note: The audio data must be formatted in conformance with ST 428-2:2006 D-Cinema Distribution Master – Audio Characteristics and ST 428-3:2006 D-Cinema Distribution Master – Audio Channel Mapping and Channel Labeling.

4. Commercial Motion Picture Theater Release:

The film must be shown in a commercial theater for a limited time in Los Angeles County.

5. Theatrical Qualifying Run:

The film must run for at least seven consecutive days. Screenings must occur at least three times daily with at least one screening beginning between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. The film must be advertised and exploited during its theatrical run in a manner normal and customary for theatrical distribution practices. Screenings must be paid admission.

6. Submission Deadline:

The film must be released within the Awards year deadline specified by the Academy.

Common Misconceptions

It is a common misconception that films released exclusively on streaming platforms are automatically eligible for the Academy Awards. This is not the case. While some nominated films have been released exclusively on Netflix or other streaming services, they must still adhere to the strict theatrical release requirements.

Netflix Releases

For example, Netflix films like The Ireland and Tiny Furniture were nominated for Academy Awards. However, these films were released in New York and Los Angeles, respectively, for the minimum required time in commercial theaters. Similarly, other films like Manchester by the Sea (2016) and Lady Bird (2017) had their theatrical releases prior to being available on Netflix.

Eligibility and Nontheatrical Distribution

Non-theatrical public exhibition or distribution—including broadcasts, cable television, PPV/VOD, DVD distribution, inflight airline distribution, and Internet transmission—renders a film ineligible for Academy Awards. However, a film may show up to ten minutes or ten percent of its running time in a nontheatrical medium prior to its theatrical qualifying run.

Conclusion

In summary, eligibility for Academy Awards is not solely dependent on online streaming but strictly hinges on the required theatrical release criteria set by the Academy. While streaming services have expanded the accessibility of films, they cannot bypass the requirement for a valid theatrical run. Understanding these rules is crucial for filmmakers and distributors aiming to have their films recognized by the Academy.