Per Deadline: Beginning with the 97th Academy Awards for films released in 2024, there are some significant added requirements for Best Picture eligibility after completion of the current initial qualifying run of a one-week theatrical release in one of six U.S. cities. These include:
- Expanded theatrical run of seven days, consecutive or non-consecutive, in 10 of the top 50 U.S. markets, no later than
45 days after the initial release in 2024; - For late-in-the-year films with expansions after January 10, 2025, distributors must submit release plans to the
Academy for verification; - Release plans for late-in-the-year films must include a planned expanded theatrical run, as described above, to
be completed no later than January 24, 2025; - Non-U.S. territory releases can count toward two of the 10 markets;
- Qualifying non-U.S. markets include the top 15 international theatrical markets plus the home territory for the film.
“On behalf of the men and women who operate movie theaters across this nation, NATO applauds the Academy’s decision to require nominees for Best Picture to have a more substantial theatrical footprint beginning in 2025,” said Michael O’Leary, NATO’s President & CEO. “We specifically want to thank Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang for their leadership on this important initiative.
This decision recognizes that to be fully appreciated as the art form they truly are, motion pictures must be experienced as intended: in a theater full of people, on a big screen, with state-of-the-art projection, sound and lighting.
The Oscars are recognized by moviegoers around the world as the pinnacle of artistic accomplishment in motion pictures, and this important step, taken by the Academy, affirms that theatrical exhibition is the keystone of the industry. Simply put, the best movies in the world are at their best on the big screen.”