The Academy to Stop Showing Oscar-Nominated Films to Their Members on the Big Screen

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has long shown their Oscar hopeful and Oscar-nominated titles to voters in theaters. In recent years, especially since they debuted their own screening portal to combat screener piracy, attendance at the post nomination screenings has dwindled. So, AMPAS is making a change. More below.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Academy is doing away with in person screenings of its nominated films. There will still be screenings of contenders prior to the nominations during the season, but after the Oscar nominations, membership will have to catch up with the nominated movies on their own or via their screening app.

Here is the letter from AMPAS to its membership that has the announcement:

Dear Academy members,

Thank you for your dedication and participation this Oscars season. We hope all of you were able to watch the Oscars Nominations Announcement this week. It was historic!

Over the last several months, we were thrilled to host for members more than 300 first-run Oscar-qualifying film screenings in Los Angeles, the Bay Area, New York and London. This included nominated films as well as all shortlisted International Feature films and the shortlisted films in our three short film categories. Many thanks to all members who participated.

In addition, we have increased member connectivity to FYC screenings by our industry partners via our FYC screenings calendar on the member site. It’s been incredible to see the commitment from industry partners to providing additional opportunities for members to see these films on the big screen. If you have not opted in for this function yet, please do so on the member site.

Moving forward, as turnout for our post-nomination screenings has been incredibly small over the last few years (an average of five members attended these screenings in the last two years), we will not rescreen these films. Please note that, in addition to FYC screening opportunities, all nominated films are available for members to watch on the Academy Screening Room.

Thank you for taking advantage of all these offerings — we appreciate your continued support and passion for watching movies!

Thank you,

The Academy

Source: THR