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Academy CEO Bill Kramer tells Tokyo film festival the Oscars are going global; a festival-winner path to the international feature race is coming
A decade ago 5 percent of Academy members lived outside the U.S., and today the figure is 25 percent, with Tokyo's own festival possibly next in line for a new Oscar pathway.
A fivefold jump in members abroad
A decade ago 5 percent of Academy members were based outside the U.S., compared with 25 percent today, Academy CEO Bill Kramer noted. [1] He spoke at the Tokyo International Film Festival on Wednesday about the Academy's efforts to bring more international filmmakers and film lovers into the Oscars. [1]
Kramer said the Academy is becoming more global across programs and is seeing a great increase in members who live outside the United States. [1] The Academy has about 70 Japanese members, and he expects that number to climb. [1]
The Tokyo panel
The Academy sent a substantial leadership delegation to the 39th Tokyo International Film Festival, including Academy president Lynette Howell Taylor and Meredith Shea, the chief membership, impact and industry officer. [1] The panel discussion took place in a high-rise in Tokyo's Hibiya district and was moderated by Tokyo film festival director Takeo Hisamatsu. [1]
From Parasite to every category
Kramer said that at the last Oscars every category had international representation, including the best picture category. [1] He described Parasite winning best picture as a pivot or shift in the Academy's thinking about what was possible with global cinema at the Oscars. [1]
A new route into the international feature race
Beginning with the 99th Academy Awards, eligible non-English-language films can be submitted for the best international feature film Oscar by winning a designated major festival prize, without securing their country's official selection. [1] The new pathway supplements the longstanding system in which approved national and regional committees each select a single entry on behalf of a country. [1]
Six festivals and awards qualify: Cannes (Palme d'Or), Venice (Golden Lion), Berlin (Golden Bear), Busan (Busan Award for best film), Sundance (World Cinema Grand Jury Prize), and Toronto (Platform Award). [1]
Tokyo's omission
Busan's inclusion in the program and Tokyo's omission have been received as hard news by many involved in the Japanese festival. [1] Kramer hinted that Tokyo might be added to the qualifying festivals, saying the Academy is looking to expand the universe of festivals and to stay tuned. [1]
Broadcast and YouTube
Kramer said that for the first time everyone worldwide will have access to the show at the same time and in the same format. [1] He also said a growing share of the TV-watching audience is on YouTube and that the Academy is already deep in discussions with YouTube CEO Neal Mohan and his team. [2] The Oscars would also move to the Peacock Theatre in 2029. [2]
What this means for you
If you follow the Oscars from outside the U.S., Kramer said everyone worldwide will have access to the show at the same time and in the same format. [1] If you follow the international feature race, films can now enter by winning a prize at one of six festivals, without their country's official selection, beginning with the 99th Academy Awards. [1]
If you follow the Tokyo festival, Kramer said the Academy is looking to expand the universe of festivals and to stay tuned. [1]
Sources
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