The Oscars Publish Long Overdue Diversity Standards for Best Picture

Creating diversity standards for Best Picture eligibility is a step forwards for diversity and inclusivity at The Academy, but it still feels like too little, too slowly

The Oscars (CREDIT: AP Photos)

                     by Jack Linsdell

As I've written at length about before, 2020 was supposed to be a big year for the film industry, especially in regards to it's progress towards full diversity and inclusivity. This year's theatrical slate was intended to be one of the most diverse ones yet, with all of the biggest movies either made by women or minorities (Black Widow, Candyman) and/or starring large ethnic ensemble casts (Mulan, In The Heights). However, then a global pandemic hit and most of those movies either got pushed back into 2021 or saw streaming/PVOD debuts. Instead, 2020 became cruel irony, one where a white filmmaker (Christopher Nolan) was hailed with "saving cinema" with his most diversely casted movie yet (Tenet). The fact that this of all years is the one that theatres were forced to close for months on end, one which would have pushed us three steps forward in terms of diversity in front of and behind the camera, is tragic really. 

Anyway, amongst all this disappointment has come one silver lining. The Academy has finally announced big change that are to be made to the Oscars, in terms of the diversity (in terms of race, gender and sexuality). But, there's a catch or two. Firstly, these changes are only applying to the coveted Best Picture category, which although is the most prestigious award of the ceremony is still only one of numerous categories. Also, we won't actually see these implemented until the 2025 ceremony. Look, after years of public outcry and online handwringing (#OscarsSoWhite) I'm very glad to see The Academy finally pulling their finger out and catching up with the times. And, with all the events of recent months (mismanagement of a pandemic, the BLM movement, the death of Chadwick Boseman) it could be that finally they've been forced to listen to the justifiable outrage that has resurfaced every February. However, that said, it does still very much feel like "we'll do it on our own terms" and that The Academy are trying to have their cake (appearing to listen to calls to become more inclusive) and eat it too (focussed and small scale change is several years time). 

So, what are the proposed changes? Well, for films to be eligible for the Best Picture category from 2025, they'll have to meet at least two (out of four) new "standards" which are revolved around key groups it's highlighted as being "underrepresented". These include LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, racial and ethnic groups and women. To be eligible for Best Picture, a movie will have to involved these groups in two of the aforementioned standards, which are onscreen acting and storylines, creative leadership positions, paid apprenticeship schemes and audience development with marketing. So, basically a film that is made by and starring white men could still be eligible if it gives so deemed underepresented demographics apprenticeships in the production team and a major role in the marketing campaign. Make of that what you will but to me, although better than nothing (which it definitely is), it does seem that The Academy is still nervous about committing to full on diversity and inclusivity. Surely, they should be more concerned about rewarding goods films made by good filmmakers (of all backgrounds and genders) rather than trying to poorly navigate a social minefield. 

On top of these changes, The Academy has also taken on 819 new members to vote on this year's contending movies, 45% of whom are women and 35% who are non-white. According to them, they have essentially doubled the number of women members and tripled the number of people from ethnic backgrounds. However, that's all very well but unless they actually tell us what percentage they make up of the total number of members, it's all media-friendly hearsay to be honest. 

If I'm sounding negative about these changes then I'm sorry. Look, diversity is diversity and it is refreshing to actually see major changes being implemented after years of outrage against The Academy. Hopefully, all this can make a film like Black Panther getting a Best Picture nomination "just another day at the office" rather than a major news story. But, it also feels like these changes are very non-committal and still very far off, in the the sense that only one category is actually "diversifying" and in the five years between now and then, tonnes of inclusive and diverse films and filmmakers from underepresented demographics are still essentially missing out. The Oscars might be beginning to catch up with the modern world, but it's too slow and measured for my liking.