Oscars Update 2020-21 Eligibility Rules; Drive-In Screenings Now OK

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media ReporterAfter months of nearly constant bad news — theater closures, movie postponements, “Tenet!” — the film industry last week finally received a glimmer of good news: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that cinemas outside of NYC can start reopening on Friday.Hollywood studios have made it clear that blockbusters won’t return until cinemas in New York and California, two influential movie markets in the U.S., can reopen.

Jill Goldsmith Co-Business EditorExhibitors in New York State are speed dialing former staffers and bookers after a surprise weekend announcement by Gov.

The 2020 presidential race is heating up after President Trump held a campaign rally in Des Moines, Iowa on Wednesday night. Trump returned to the campaign trail on Monday after being diagnosed with COVID-19.

It might be super early in the morning in India but as music lovers, we're currently engrossed about the ongoing Billboard Music Awards 2020. The BBMAs 2020 is taking place in Los Angeles at the Dolby Theatre while Kelly Clarkson returns with hosting duties.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says The Chainsmokers' concert promoters will pay after the group's July event violated state social distancing mandates.On Tuesday, Cuomo tweeted, «Following an investigation into the Chainsmokers concert in the Hamptons this summer, the promoters will be fined $20,000 for violating public health law.

The Chainsmokers held a charity drive-in concert in July in the Hamptons and things got out of hand.

Variety, the film is due to land on the streaming platform in December.Final details are being hammered out, sources told the publication.The first Coming to America saw Eddie Murphy as the charming African Prince Akeem, who traveled to New York City to escape an arranged marriage.In the upcoming sequel, Prince Akeem is set to become king of the fictional country of Zamunda when he discovers he has a son he never knew about in America, a street-savvy Queens native named Lavelle.To honour the

The Texas Republican Party filed a lawsuit Monday night challenging a decision by the state's most populous county to provide more voting options amid the coronavirus pandemic.  The state GOP's lawsuit, filed in a state appeals court in Houston hours before early voting in Texas began, argued that Harris County had violated the state's election code by offering drive-thru and curbside voting.  "This illegal policy, which is grounded on the dubious notion that a lack of immunity from COVID-19

what? and whomst? broke this news and described the relationship as "a hookup of old and new Hollywood dynasties," reporting that Bella and Duke have been "spending time together since at least late last month" when they met up in New York City.On top of that, Bella and Duke apparently went on a secret trip for Bella's birthday (before her recent all-girls vacation with friends, see below), which they kept off social media.

Mike Fleming Jr Co-Editor-in-Chief, FilmIn a pandemic moment where The War With Grandpa gets headlines for topping the weekend box office with just $3.6 million, is it possible for films with stars and reasonable budgets to make a go of it while the two biggest theatrical markets, New York and Los Angeles, remain closed? Next to try will be Honest Thief, the Liam Neeson action film that opens Friday.

horror films on Netflix is always an option.

Sundance title in the mix, too.)For the 2021 Oscars, however, the enthusiasm is muted — COVID, election — and that 7/9 proportion will likely skew lower. After Sundance, the last carefree, business-as-usual festival, big titles a la “Joker” and “1917” have been in relatively short supply because studios want traditional theatrical releases after premieres.

Legendary comedians Jerry Seinfeld and Steve Martin discussed the historic snubbing of comedies at the Oscars. The two comedians got together for an hour-long virtual discussion about their careers as part of the New Yorker Festival Wednesday night, where the duo mentioned how Netflix has helped comedians gain a little recognition in the movie industry.

Steve Martin has commented on the absence of comedy films at the Academy Awards.The actor, who has starred in hit comedies such as Father of the Bride and Planes, Trains and Automobiles, was speaking at a virtual session at the New Yorker Festival on Wednesday night (7 October), when he said: “It’s a lifetime of dismissal of comedy.

Jill Goldsmith Co-Business EditorJerry Seinfeld gave a shout out to Netflix for helping shift perceptions of comedians — and their paydays — as he and Steve Martin trash talked the genre-snubbing Oscars.“I think for a long time, and actually until Netflix, comedians were just not as important, not as valuable, not considered major artists or real artists.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made a historic modification with the assumption that movie theaters would eventually reopen in the fall. With theaters in the two biggest markets in the country, Los Angeles and New York, nowhere close to happening, the Board of Governors has updated and clarified how a film can qualify for Best Picture for the 93rd Oscars.

Ellise Shafer editorThe Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced another update to the eligibility requirements for this year’s Oscars, allowing films shown at drive-in theaters to qualify for best picture and general entry categories.In addition to April’s amendment giving eligibility to films without traditional theatrical releases as long as they are uploaded to the Academy Screening Room, the new rule clarified that a theatrical run of only seven days is needed and that