Fyuno Animation

The Academy has approved new rules for the 87th Academy Awards, including rule changes in the Animated Feature Film and the Animated Short Film categories. In the Animated Feature Film category, DVD screeners are now required as part of a film’s submission.

Did you hear about the new rules for animation Oscars? The biggest news is that DVD screeners are now required for any eligible Best Animated Picture film. For those of you unfamiliar with Academy Award terminology (which is fine; don’t feel bad!), screeners are the discs or sometimes digital copies of a film that is sent out in advance of the film’s public release. This is good news for films who do not receive such wide publicity or a large theatrical release because awards voters and critics are able to view the films! (Think Ernest and Celestine of last year’s Oscars). 

There’s good news for animated shorts next year, too. Films with nontheatrical exhibition or distribution to the public can still qualify for consideration by the Academy ifthey win an award at a film festival. 

I think these changes are a good move and will allow more quality animation to get the recognition it deserves, even if we don’t see smaller studio wins immediately.