The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced new inclusivity rules for the Oscars in 2024, and conservatives are not happy about it.
The new guidelines apply to films gunning for the prestigious "Best Picture" Oscar award.
New Oscars Rules for 2024
TOPSHOT - US producer Jonathan Wang (L), winner of the Oscar for Best Picture for "Everything Everywhere All at Once", US director Daniel Kwan (C) and US director Daniel Scheinert (R), winners of the Oscar for Best Director for "Everything Everywhere All at Once", attend the 95th Annual Academy Awards Governors Ball in Hollywood, California on March 12, 2023.
According to TMZ, conservatives are outraged after learning about the changes coming to the Oscars starting in 2024. They are highly concerned about The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' new inclusivity rule for all Best Picture contenders, which requires films to follow a set of guidelines.
As the New York Post reports, the guidelines require that all films nominated for Best Picture meet specific diversity standards. These standards include having at least one lead actor, actress, or supporting character with a significant role from an underrepresented racial or ethnic group.
On top of that, the inclusivity guidelines also require Best Picture contenders to feature a storyline that sheds light on an underrepresented group. And last but not least, roughly 30 percent of the overall cast should represent various underrepresented groups, including LGBTQ+, ethnic, and more.
The new rules, which take off in March 2024, the Academy now requires Best Picture nominees to meet two out of four exclusivity rules. Or else they will no longer be considered for it. While these changes seek to promote a more inclusive industry, conservatives argue that they infringe upon the artistic vision of filmmakers.
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Conservatives Slam New Oscar Inclusivity Standard
HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 28: View of the stage during the 88th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on February 28, 2016 in Hollywood, California.
With these new inclusivity standards, as per Fox News, some voting members of the Academy are outraged by the upcoming changes. One director reportedly told The Post that the guidelines are "completely ridiculous." The unnamed director claims that he is all for diversity, but not to the extent that he requires filmmakers to cast certain people for the prestige nomination.
He believes that "it makes the whole process contrived," noting that the "person who is right for the part should get the part." He adds that our current world, which limits choices for movie casts, is "crazy."
The New York Post reports that prominent producers in Hollywood also echoed opposing sentiments on the new guidelines. But the news outlet says they are afraid to speak out about their two cents "out of fear of cancel culture."
American actor Richard Dreyfuss also disagrees with the new Oscar inclusivity rules. In an interview with PBS anchor Margaret Hoover, Dreyfuss says new guidelines make him vomit. The Oscars said these guidelines seek to "encourage equitable representation on and off the screen." It further aims to utmost diversity in various movies.
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