Oscars Announce New ‘Diversity’ Rules to Win Best Picture

If they were made today, classic films like "The Godfather," "Ben Hur," and "On the Waterfront," would be ineligible for the "Best Picture" Oscars they won.That's because The Academy of Motion Pictures Art and Sciences announced Tuesday a series of new diversity standards that must be met before a film can qualify to be nominated for the "Best Picture" Oscar.

The new rules are a part of the Academy's diversity and inclusion initiative, and were, according to the Academy, implemented "to encourage equitable representation on and off screen in order to better reflect the diversity of the movie-going audience."

The rules, which only apply to the Best Picture category, will begin in 2024. Films will have to meet two out of four newly created standards to be eligible to accept the nomination.

The first list of new rules, referred to as Standard A, requires that a film meet at least one of the criteria to be considered:

A1. Lead or significant supporting actors

At least one of the lead actors or significant supporting actors is from an underrepresented racial or ethnic group.
• Asian
• Hispanic/Latinx
• Black/African American
• Indigenous/Native American/Alaskan Native
• Middle Eastern/North African
• Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
• Other underrepresented race or ethnicity

A2. General ensemble cast

At least 30% of all actors in secondary and more minor roles are from at least two of the following underrepresented groups:
• Women
• Racial or ethnic group
• LGBTQ+
• People with cognitive or physical disabilities, or who are deaf or hard of hearing

A3. Main storyline/subject matter

The main storyline(s), theme or narrative of the film is centered on an underrepresented group(s).
• Women
• Racial or ethnic group
• LGBTQ+
• People with cognitive or physical disabilities, or who are deaf or hard of hearing

Other categories with mandatory qualifiers include Creative Leadership and Project Team, Industry Access and Opportunities and Representation in Marketing, Publicity and Distribution.

To see the entire list of the Oscars' new rules and diversity in hiring quotas, JUST CLICK HERE!