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How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the Oscars and its eligibility rules for films and shows?

Jude Kupke

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented changes to the film industry, and the Oscars are certainly no exception. Organizers have taken a number of measures to ensure that the awards ceremony can proceed despite the difficulties posed by the pandemic. One of the biggest impacts of the pandemic on the Oscars has been the changes made to the eligibility rules for films and shows.

Perhaps the most significant change to the eligibility rules for the Oscars is that films are now allowed to qualify for nomination without having had a theatrical release. This is a major shift from the Academy's previous stance, which required films to have been screened in cinemas for at least a week in order to be considered for an award. However, with cinemas closed due to the pandemic, a number of films released on streaming platforms or on-demand have been able to qualify for the Oscars.

The Academy has also extended the deadline for film releases, allowing films released in January and February 2021 to be considered for the 2020 Oscars. This is another major departure from the usual rules, which typically only allow films released in the previous calendar year to be considered. This move was made to account for the fact that many films were delayed or postponed due to the pandemic.

In addition to these changes, the Academy has also made some modifications to the categories themselves. For example, the Best Sound Mixing and Best Sound Editing categories have been combined into a single category called Best Sound, while the Best Makeup and Hairstyling category has been expanded from three to five nominees. These changes were made to reflect the unique circumstances of the pandemic, which have had an impact on the production and post-production processes for films.

Overall, the pandemic has forced the Academy to be more flexible and adaptable than ever before. While the changes to the eligibility rules and categories may seem drastic, they were necessary to ensure that the awards could proceed in a fair and equitable manner. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the Oscars remain an important part of the film industry, and the changes made to the eligibility rules and categories highlight the resilience and creativity of everyone involved.