The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is determined to put calls of ‘Oscars So White’ far behind it with the announcement of “Academy Aperture 2025” – an effort for a more inclusive Oscar race.
The Academy and the PGA are creating a task force of industry leaders to develop and implement new representation and inclusion standards for Oscars eligibility by July 31st of this year.
Academy CEO Dawn Hudson said in a statement: “While the Academy has made strides, we know there is much more work to be done in order to ensure equitable opportunities across the board. The need to address this issue is urgent. To that end, we will amend – and continue to examine – our rules and procedures to ensure that all voices are heard and celebrated.”
One big change will be the Best Picture line-up. Starting from the 94th Academy Awards which air in early 2022 and celebrate all the films of 2021, the best picture category will be set at a mandatory ten nominees rather than a fluctuating number between five and ten.
The Academy will also implement a quarterly viewing process through its streaming site the Academy Screening Room. This will make it possible for members to view films released year-round and broaden each film’s exposure, level the playing field, and ensure all eligible films can be seen by voting members.
The Board of Governors are getting shortened maximum term limits. They will now be two three-year terms (consecutive or non-consecutive), followed by a two-year hiatus, after which eligibility renews for up to two additional three-year terms and a lifetime maximum of twelve years (before there was no lifetime maximum).
Unconscious bias training will be mandatory for all Academy governors, branch executive committee members and Academy staff on an annual basis, and will also be offered to the organization’s roughly 9,000 members. There’s also “Academy Dialogue: It Starts With Us,” a series of panels for members and the public about race issues and filmmaking will include a conversation hosted by governor Whoopi Goldberg.
Source: THR
