The Academy are shelving plans to bring in a new Popular Film category ahead of the 2019 Oscars.
In a Board of Governors meeting last month, members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voted for a new Outstanding Achievement in Popular Film category – which bosses hoped to bring in for the 2019 ceremony – but the plans have now been shelved until at least 2020.
Academy CEO Dawn Hudson confirmed in a statement: "The Academy recognised that implementing any new award nine months into the year creates challenges for films that have already been released. The Board of Governors continues to be actively engaged in discussions, and will examine and seek additional input regarding this category. There has been a wide range of reactions to the introduction of a new award, and we recognise the need for further discussion with our members. We have made changes to the Oscars over the years – including this year – and we will continue to evolve while also respecting the incredible legacy of the last 90 years."
Whilst the plans have been shelved for the time being, the Academy are keen to get the new category implemented as soon as possible.
Hudson added: "The idea that we were trying to honour excellence across a wider scope of movies was not completely understood when we announced this. We heard feedback from our members that we needed to take more time. We felt we needed further study, without abandoning the principle … Over the years we’ve narrowed our scope of movies that we are honouring for excellence. When we announce our nominees in January, a lot of films are not accessible to film lovers around the world. They’re just not in theatres. We want the Oscars to evolve. We want to be relevant to and engage with our audience of film fans."
Academy shelving Popular Film category
