Academy Ends Post-Nomination Screening As Streaming Reshapes The Theatrical Experience

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has announced the discontinuation of its post nomination theatrical screening for this year Oscar-nominated films for their Academy members. Thus, ending a tradition that many in the industry professionals saw coming with the rise of streaming.

At this point, weeks prior to the award show, only hand full of members have attended these post-screenings, as there has been a decline in attendance with these screenings in the past few years. Historically, this was the only way for voters to see a nominated film in a theatrical environment before casting their ballots for the Oscars. For many decades, this practice of post screening has served a multi-purposes cause. Whether the screening is for critics, Guild and Academy members. This was to ensure voters were expose to film as their director intended them to see it. This purpose was to reinforce the cultural messaging behind the storytelling and have a communal theatrical viewing with minds alike.

Movie theaters have been a venue for films for years and been creating collective experiences for its audience. These collective experiences tend to create emotional high points that blends with its narrative’s rhythm, in a way that forges a cultural impact. An experience you cannot replace with view at your home. Advocators for the theatrical window such as Christopher Nolan have presented it’s essential to maintain the artistic and social value of a film with these screening. He compares the experience between a live concert and a recorded track as these two visions are artistic the same but hold different weight within their social aspect in the project.

In the recent years with the rise of streaming platforms has significantly reshape how films are being release and consumed. Streaming platforms are now frequently debuting films and prestige name projects directly online and shortening the window for their theatrical experience. This had been eroding for quite some time now for the traditional communal experience.

The Academy itself had responded to this streaming model issue and introduce the Academy Screening Room. This was a service platform allowed current active members to view nominees’ contenders securely from home. Supports for this change argues that streaming access democratize viewership for voter who may not live near theaters showing limited releases. Others have counter that eliminating the share screening diminishing the social and cultural impact of the film.

As the industry shifts and evolves from this, this decision is a reflection of the broader tension between streaming convenience and cinema traditions. A debate to shape the future for film appreciation and culture.