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Prestigious award ceremony, the Oscars, sparked controversy online after it announced its new inclusion and diversity rules for all its future events. The new guidelines must be followed by any film that will contest in the "Best Picture" category of the Academy Awards.
According to the official website of the Academy Awards, beginning 2024, a film will only be eligible for nomination in the Best Picture category after film producers and directors submit a form that highlights the gender, race, s*xual orientation, and disability status of the film's actors and crew members.
Several voting members raised concerns when the Academy Awards unveiled its Aperture 2025 program, a comprehensive set of rules aimed at making Hollywood more equal and diverse. However, not just the voting members but several Internet users expressed their displeasure with these new rules about inclusivity at Oscars.
Twitter reacts to Oscars' new inclusivity guidelines for films
After the new guidelines for the "Best Picture" selection at the Oscars went viral, Twitteratis were furious. Several users slammed the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for introducing a new set of rules to promote inclusivity, with one of them calling out the committee for curbing "creative expression" and "artistic freedom."
Some users also gave the example of The Godfather and how it would not have been able to bag the Best Picture award if rules applied to it. Others stated that these new rules will devolve the Oscars' standards when it comes to films rather than helping it.
While speaking to The New York Post, an anonymous director rubbished the new set of regulations to maintain inclusivity.
“It’s completely ridiculous. I’m for diversity, but to make you cast certain types of people if you want to get nominated? That makes the whole process contrived. The person who is right for the part should get the part. Why should you be limited in your choices? But it’s the world we’re in. This is crazy.”
During an interview last month, actor Richard Dreyfuss harshly criticized Hollywood's new inclusiveness standards, claiming they make him "vomit."
As of this writing, the Oscars have not responded to the backlash received online on its new rules on inclusivity.
