Oscars Relax 2020 Eligibility Rules in Boost for Streamed Movies

The group behind the Oscars is relaxing the rules for this year’s movies because of the coronavirus shutdown, allowing films that premiered on streaming platforms to compete for the industry’s most-coveted prizes. From a report: The change applies only to movies that had a previously planned theatrical release and only for the upcoming 93rd Academy Awards, scheduled for Feb. 28. The old rules will be back once theaters reopen, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences said Tuesday. Rule changes for Oscars are rare, and the guidelines for competing have been the source of controversy as streaming platforms such as Netflix pour billions of dollars into feature films and seek to compete for top Hollywood awards. Normally, movies must premiere in a theater in Los Angeles County and show for seven consecutive days, playing at least three times a day, to be considered for Oscars, including best picture.