Oscars sets new rules for inclusion and representation, to be in effect by 2024

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has announced a new set of standards for better inclusion and representation in the Best Picture category, which will take effect from 2024.

The future shift is part of its Academy Aperture 2025 initiative for equal representation for cast and crew to better reflect the diversity of the audience that watches these films.

In a statement, AMPAS president David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson said, “The aperture must widen to reflect our diverse global population in both the creation of motion pictures and in the audiences who connect with them. The Academy is committed to playing a vital role in helping make this a reality. We believe these inclusion standards will be a catalyst for long-lasting, essential change in our industry.”

A task force lead by AMPAS governors DeVon Franklin and Jim Gianopulos developed the standards that were originally created by the British Film Institute (BFI) Diversity Standards for eligibility in some categories of the British Academy of Film and Television Awards (BAFTAs) and also for film funding.

These were adapted to specifically suit the needs of AMPAS. The film academy also consulted the Producers Guild of America (PGA) for its future rules on eligibility for the Best Picture category.

A confidential form on Academy Inclusion Standards will have to be submitted for Best Picture consideration for the 94th and 95th Oscars, being held in 2022 and 2023. However, these terms will be fully in effect for the 96th Oscars in 2024.

The rules set out by the AMPAS state that to be eligible for Best Picture in 2024, a film must meet two of the four standards listed below.

STANDARD A: ON-SCREEN REPRESENTATION, THEMES AND NARRATIVES
To achieve Standard A, the film must meet ONE of the following criteria:

A1. Lead or significant supporting artistes

At least one of the lead artistes or significant supporting artistes must be 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 artistes in secondary and more minor roles should be 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 must be centred 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

STANDARD B: CREATIVE LEADERSHIP AND PROJECT TEAM
To achieve Standard B, the film must meet ONE of the criteria below:

B1. Creative leadership and department heads

At least two of the following creative leadership positions and department heads — Casting Director, Cinematographer, Composer, Costume Designer, Director, Editor, Hairstylist, Make-up Artist, Producer, Production Designer, Set Decorator, Sound, VFX Supervisor, Writer — should be from the following underrepresented groups:
• Women
• Racial or ethnic group
• LGBTQ+
• People with cognitive or physical disabilities, or who are deaf or hard of hearing

At least one of those positions must belong to the following 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

B2. Other key roles

At least six other crew/team and technical positions (excluding Production Assistants) should be from an underrepresented racial or ethnic group. These positions include but are not limited to First Assistant Director, Gaffer and Script Supervisor.

B3. Overall crew composition

At least 30% of the film’s crew should be from the following underrepresented groups:
• Women
• Racial or ethnic group
• LGBTQ+
• People with cognitive or physical disabilities, or who are deaf or hard of hearing

STANDARD C:  INDUSTRY ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITIES
To achieve Standard C, the film must meet BOTH the criteria below:

C1. Paid apprenticeship and internship opportunities

The film’s distribution or financing company should have paid apprenticeships or internships that are from the following underrepresented groups and satisfy the criteria below:
• Women
• Racial or ethnic group
• LGBTQ+
• People with cognitive or physical disabilities, or who are deaf or hard of hearing

The major studios/distributors are required to have substantive, ongoing paid apprenticeships/internships inclusive of underrepresented groups (which must also include racial or ethnic groups) in most of the following departments: production/development, physical production, post-production, music, VFX, acquisitions, business affairs, distribution, marketing and publicity.

The mini-major or independent studios/distributors must have a minimum of two apprentices/interns from the above underrepresented groups (at least one from an underrepresented racial or ethnic group) in at least one of the following departments: production/development, physical production, post-production, music, VFX, acquisitions, business affairs, distribution, marketing and publicity.

C2. Training opportunities and skills development (crew)

The film’s production, distribution and/or financing company should offer training and/or work opportunities for below-the-line skill development to people from the following underrepresented groups:
• Women
• Racial or ethnic group
• LGBTQ+
• People with cognitive or physical disabilities, or who are deaf or hard of hearing

STANDARD D: AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT
To achieve Standard D, the film must meet the criterion below:

D1. Representation in marketing, publicity and distribution

The studio and/or film company should have multiple in-house senior executives from among the following underrepresented groups (must include individuals from underrepresented racial or ethnic groups) on their marketing, publicity, and/or distribution teams.
• Women
• 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
• LGBTQ+
• People with cognitive or physical disabilities, or who are deaf or hard of hearing

The above rules apply only to the Best Picture category. According to the AMPAS press release, films in other main feature categories like Animated Feature Film, Documentary Feature, International Feature Film will be addressed separately.