LOS ANGELES (CNS) - There's plenty of competition for the best-picture Oscar, with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announcing today that 366 feature films are eligible for the top prize.
Nomination voting will begin March 5 and continue through March 10, with nominations announced March 15.
Eligibility rules were tweaked this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the closure of theaters across the country. Indoor theaters are still shuttered in Los Angeles County, where Oscar-hopeful films are normally required to screen for seven days to compete for an Academy Award.
This year, films must open in a theater by Feb. 28 and run for seven consecutive days in Los Angeles County, New York City, the Bay Area, Chicago, Miami or Atlanta. Drive-in theaters that operate nightly are qualifying venues.
Films that are intended for theatrical release but debuted instead on a streaming service such as Netflix can also qualify for the Oscars if they are made available on the Academy's secure Screening Room site within 60 days of its streaming release.
The 93rd Oscars will be held April 25, although exact details of what form the event will take have not yet been released. The Academy announced earlier this month that it is “determined to present an Oscars like none other, while prioritizing the public health and safety of all those who will participate.''
“To create the in-person show our global audience wants to see, while adapting to the requirements of the pandemic, the ceremony will broadcast live from multiple locations, including the landmark Dolby Theatre. We look forward to sharing more details soon.''
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