The
Academy
of
Motion
Picture
Arts
and
Sciences
(AMPAS)
that
hosts
the
annual
Academy
Awards
aka
Oscar
Awards
will
now
consider
films
that
get
digital
releases
too
for
the
awards,
as
opposed
to
the
previous
rule,
according
to
which
only
films
with
theatrical
releases
were
considered
for
nomination.
While
the
rule
change
saw
some
opposition
from
the
board
members,
it
has
been
approved
for
the
current
year,
due
to
the
hold
on
theatrical
releases
during
the
Coronavirus
outbreak.
ALSO
READ:
YouTube
To
Host
Free
Virtual
Film
Festival
With
20
Partners
Including
Cannes,
Tribeca,
Sundance.
Films
have
not
been
released
in
the
past
two
months,
since
theatres
have
been
closed
down
across
many
parts
of
the
world
owing
to
the
pandemic,
and
studios
have
begun
to
rely
on
digital
releases.
While
many
have
chosen
to
delay
releases
until
2021,
makers
who
have
financial
constraints
have
gone
digital.
The
industry
is
currently
looking
at
heavy
losses
with
theatres
even
closing
down.
It
led
many
producers
to
question
the
Academy
Award's
rule
of
movies
being
shown
on
the
big
screen
for
at
least
a
week
to
qualify
for
the
Oscars.
The
Academy
members
David
Rubin
and
Dawn
Hudson
still
believe
that
there
is
"no
greater
way" to
experience
a
film
than
in
theatres
and
the
change
has
only
been
made
to
support
"members
and
colleagues
during
this
time
of
uncertainty."
According
to
reports,
voters
will
receive
DVD
screeners
and
soundtrack
CDs
to
evaluate
entries
for
the
year.
Once
it
is
safer
for
the
theatres
to
open,
a
film
that
is
released
outside
Los
Angeles
for
at
least
a
week
on
the
big
screen,
will
also
qualify
for
Oscars
2021.
However,
for
the
current
year
the
rule
change
could
mean
a
lot
for
streaming
platforms
like
Netflix,
Amazon,
etc.