Board approves some notable rules changes for 2020 Oscars, including category name change

The Academy’s Board of Governors has approved rules for the 2020 Oscars.

As is the annual tradition, The Academy’s Board of Governors has approved rules for next year's Academy Awards. And this year it includes some notable changes. 

One change missing is any eligibility changes that would bar Netflix from entering its films in the running. (Read more about that drama leading up to the decision via Variety.)

Take a look at some of the big changes:

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Ceremony Time Change – UPDATE
Subtly slipped in at the end of the press release is that the ceremony time is change is moving up 90 MINUTES to 6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT. UPDATE: We believe this was just a typo in The Academy's press release. Later news releases did not confirm this move to 6:30 p.m. ET.

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Animated Feature
The Animated Feature category no longer needs to be activated with the theatrical release of eight eligible animated features in the calendar year. Also, all active members of the Short Films and Feature Animation Branch will be automatically allowed to vote for nominations. Other active voting members of the Academy must opt-in to participate in the nominations round.

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Foreign Language International Feature
The Foreign Language Film category name has been changed to International Feature Film.

“We have noted that the reference to ‘Foreign’ is outdated within the global filmmaking community,” commented Larry Karaszewski and Diane Weyermann, co-chairs of the International Feature Film Committee. “We believe that International Feature Film better represents this category, and promotes a positive and inclusive view of filmmaking, and the art of film as a universal experience.”

The category name change does not change any existing category rules, the submission process, or eligibility requirements. An international feature film is defined as a feature-length motion picture produced outside the United States of America with a predominantly non-English dialogue track. Animated and documentary feature films are permitted. Only one film is accepted from each country as the official selection.

In addition, the International Feature Film award shortlist is expanding to ten films; seven to be chosen by the Phase I  International Feature Film Committee, and the additional three to be voted by the International Feature Film Award Executive Committee.

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Makeup and Hairstyling
In the Makeup and Hairstyling category, the number of nominated films is increasing from three to five, and the shortlist is increasing from seven to ten. In addition, the bake-off reels for the films shall not exceed seven minutes in total running time.

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Animated and Live Action Shorts
In the Short Film categories, Animated and Live Action Short Films now have the option to qualify theatrically in either the City of New York or Los Angeles County to be eligible for submission.

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Eligibility and Theatrical Runs
The Academy’s Board of Governors voted to maintain Rule Two, Eligibility for the 92nd Oscars. The rule states that to be eligible for awards consideration, a film must have a minimum seven-day theatrical run in a Los Angeles County commercial theater, with at least three screenings per day for paid admission. Motion pictures released in nontheatrical media — think Netflix — on or after the first day of their Los Angeles County theatrical qualifying run remain eligible.

“We support the theatrical experience as integral to the art of motion pictures, and this weighed heavily in our discussions,” said Academy President John Bailey. “Our rules currently require theatrical exhibition, and also allow for a broad selection of films to be submitted for Oscars consideration. We plan to further study the profound changes occurring in our industry and continue discussions with our members about these issues.”

Other amendments to the rules include standard date changes and “housekeeping” adjustments.

Find the complete 92nd Academy Awards rules at oscars.org/rules.

The 92nd Academy Awards, for outstanding film achievements of 2019, will be presented on Sunday, February 9, 2020, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center, and will be televised live on ABC and in more than 225 countries worldwide.