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Oscars dumps plan for “Popular” film category

Common sense prevails after a mocked proposal to try and appeal to a bigger audience.

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Thanks goodness for that.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has scrapped plans to introduce a new ‘popular film‘ category at the Oscars next year.

The perplexing category was designed to recognise blockbusters after Best Film wins were being given to ‘niche’ offerings. The Academy has been keen to attract a wider TV viewing audience, and vowed to also trim the running time.

But the most popular category, which was yet to outline its judging criteria, drew wide criticism.

On Wednesday a meeting of the Academy’s board of governors saw a majority of 54 members vote to postpone the award, at least for the 2019 ceremony.

Source: Radio Times

5 Responses

  1. I think a good idea would be to award the highest grossing film of the year. If it’s the highest grossing it’s obviously the most popular. It would avoid any cheating in internet or postal voting. And it must take a lot of effort to be the highest grossing film of the year. It would also recognise the marketing departments which are a huge part of the industry.

  2. The Oscars has been in decline for 20 years. The Academy has long been criticised for voting for independent films that insiders love. Recently there has been a popular movement, backed by the media,for boycotts and the overthrow of The Academy unless they vote for more representative films. They’ve already increased nominations to try and broaden appeal. The Popular Film award was another attempt. But if Infinity Wars can gross over $2b and not win it it would be token and pointless.

  3. Somewhere I read that winning an Academy Award for a movie can increase profits on average by USD$13 million. Even being nominated is a boost to the bottom line. Considering popular films are already making great money it is only fair that the Academy Awards focus on the so called niche films. These films will never have an advertising budget like a Marvel movie and without events like the Academy Awards films like Moonlight might not get the investment to be made. As much as I love a blockbuster I don’t want to live in a world where the only films are blockbusters.

  4. We all know the award was designed to give Black Panther an award. No coincidence the ceremony is airing on ABC, which is owned by Disney who own Marvel.

    It’ll never see the light of day again. The delay is an excuse.

    Or maybe I’m wrong.

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