The Oscars announce new inclusion guidelines

What are the new diversity guidelines for Best Picture nominees?

The Oscars announce new inclusion guidelines

This week the Oscars announced new guidelines to encourage diversity and inclusion, particularly in the Best Picture nominees, to which these rules apply. These guidelines apply not only to those appearing on-screen but also to the crew and creative leadership. 

Before we get stuck into the guidelines, we have to remember a few notes. Whilst there are four categories dealing with different areas of production and distribution, films will only have to meet the standards of two out of the four categories. 

Furthermore, these guidelines will not apply until the 2024 Oscars. Having said that films being released in 2021 will have to confidentially disclose how their piece aligns with the following inclusion rules. Do also remember that these requirements only apply to Best Picture nominees. 

The guidelines refer to two separate groups. Firstly, those from under-represented racial or ethnic groups, which the Oscars define as the following: Asian, Hispanic/Latinx, Black/African American, Indigenous/Native American/Alaskan Native, Middle Eastern/North African, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, other under-represented race or ethnicity. Secondly, those from under-represented identity groups: the former racial and ethnic groups as well as those who identify as women, LGBTQ+ and those with cognitive or physical disabilities, or who are deaf or hard of hearing.

The first category, Group A, refers to the actors and actresses in the piece. Films must have one of the following: 

  • At least one “lead or significant supporting actor” from an under-represented racial or ethnic group. 
  • At least 30% of a cast in secondary and minor roles from two under-represented identity groups. 
  • A main storyline or subject that centres on an under-represented identity group.

The second category, Group B, deals with the crew and production team. A film must have one of the following:

  • At least two heads of major departments must be from an under-represented identity group. A minimum of one of these must be from an under-represented racial or ethnic group. 
  • At least six people on the crew are from an under-represented racial or ethnic group. 
  • At least 30% of the crew are from an under-represented identity group.

The third category, Group C, refers to the paid training opportunities that film companies off to those who are typically under-represented. The film's distributor or production company must meet both of these rules:

  • Must offer paid internship/apprenticeship opportunities to people from under-represented identity groups, and must actually be employing people in those positions.
  • Must offer training and work opportunities in lower and mid-level positions to people from under-represented identity groups.

The final category, Group D, speaks to those consuming the film. The distribution company must have senior-level executives from under-represented identity groups.

Read the full standards on the Oscars website.

Header Image Credit: analogicus via Pixabay

Author

Sienna James

Sienna James Voice Team

Formerly Assistant Editor, Sienna now studies History of Art at the University of Cambridge and loves to write about the intersection of politics, history and visual art. Sienna is author of the Creative Education and Instaviews series.

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