Oscars announces change to number of Best Picture film nominees

Since 2012, anywhere between five and 10 films could be nominated

The Oscars has announced there will be a fixed number of Best Picture nominations at future ceremonies.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is on the cusp of announcing new standards for representation and inclusion, and the first change to be ushered in is the quantity of films that can be nominated for the top prize.

From the 2020 ceremony onwards, a total of 10 films will be nominated for Best Picture for the first time since 2011.

In 2010, organisers announced that the number of nominations had expanded from five to 10 for the first time since the 1940s.

While never confirmed, this is believed to have been due to the fact The Dark Knight missed out on a Best Picture nomination the previous year.

In 2012, though, the Academy revised the rule so that anywhere between five and 10 films were permitted to be nominated.

Bruce Davis, the Academy executive director at the time, said: ”If there are only eight pictures that truly earn that honour in a given year, we shouldn’t feel an obligation to round out the number.”

As well as the best Picture rule change, the Academy will double the number of women and people of colour among its membership, and is in the process of developing a task force to “implement” representation standards by 31 July.

“While the Academy has made strides, we know there is much more work to be done in order to ensure equitable opportunities across the board,” Academy CEO Dawn Hudson said in a statement.

“The need to address this issue is urgent. To that end, we will amend — and continue to examine — our rules and procedures to ensure that all voices are heard and celebrated.”

Bong Joon-ho’s South Korean film Parasite won Best Picture at the 2020 ceremony.