The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and sciences, which hosts the annual Oscar Awards, is taking measures to bridge the inequality gap and ensure more representation and diversity in films. They recently announced that beginning in 2024 there will be inclusion requirements for films to be considered for the “Best Picture” award. The new guidelines are meant to promote equitable representation of the global population both on camera and behind the scenes in regard to gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity and disability. Such standards include:
• At least one of the lead actors or supporting roles must be from an underrepresented racial or ethnic group.
• An alternative to this option is 30% of all secondary or minor roles could come from two of the following categories: women, LGBTQ and underrepresented racial group or those with cognitive or physical disabilities.
• A final option is the main story line must focus on an underrepresented group.
Personally, I haven’t watched the Oscars in years because of the lack of diversity as well as general disagreement with the Academy’s chosen winners. Do you still watch the Oscars? Would these new diversity and inclusion standards encourage you to watch the awards show? Or is it too little, too late?
I haven’t watched the Oscars in years either. Sounds like there’s some PC efforts going on. I’m probably less likely to watch now than ever. Thanks for your email!
I have been watching the Oscars now almost every year since I can remember from being a huge movie buff. I think it’s such a shame that it has come to this point of setting in rules/guidelines for something like this. These awards should be based off “best in show”, period. Nothing else should matter, based off gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity and disability. I don’t think it’s too late, but I do think viewers will start to not rely on award shows being accurate anymore, with everything having to be strict to guideline and with all the political arguments going on.
I personally feel that what needs to change here is the judging system/voters that vote in nominees. There should be full diversity on the judging side as well.
Equal opportunity is fantastic. Equal outcome is a disgrace
Designing systems for equal outcome is sub-serving. It punishes those who go the extra mile, and does not incentivize those who do not to try to go the extra mile.
Eventually everyone starts saying : why am I working so hard when the other guy who does nothing is going to be getting the same outcome anyway
The ratings should be fair and unbiased no matter the origin or characteristic of the creator
But to say that in every Oscar at least one person of color and one African American and one minority submission should get an award no matter how appalling their product, you are not doing anyone a service
I love the thought of diversity in the judging panel rather than rules of who is able to win. I’m glad it is a topic they are addressing. Hopefully they revisit this.