INDUSTRY
Oscars 2022 to Include Streaming Movies Award Category
Oscars 2022
Although movie theatres around the world are reopening, upcoming films are still being impacted due to the pandemic. As a result, the 2022 Academy Awards have taken these factors into consideration and are allowing movies to go straight to streaming and still be eligible for the Oscars. The film industry took a huge hit during the pandemic, and unfortunately, it is still being affected although more theatres are reopening. Movie theatres in the U.S. began reopening months ago with limited capacity, while other countries around the world are still closed or just beginning to reopen. Only films that were previously intended for theatrical release will be eligible for the streaming rule. Therefore, traditional TV movies will not be eligible for the annual event.
In order to qualify, the movies must have a release date that is between March 1 and Dec. 31, 2021. Another notable factor is that the Oscars plans to extend these eligibility requirements for the 95th Oscars. Plus, an additional substantial change that the ceremony will be implementing is a permanent 10 nominees for best picture, as opposed to fluctuating between eight and nine in the category. The change was established as part of the new equity and inclusion plans put forth by the Academy. While there are many positive changes being made to the annual event, the viewership for the 93rd awards ceremony took a huge hit in April at a record low of 10.4 million viewers compared to the previous year of 23.6 million viewers. Considering the entire pandemic awards season (mostly virtual) took a hit, it is still hard to imagine a 56% plunge in viewership. Although the pandemic has seemed to be a contributing factor to the change in viewership, as people are either unaware or uninterested–the Oscars viewership has been slipping for the past decade. With the Oscars allowing movies to skip theatrical releases for the second year in a row, it is a great advantage to streaming. This is a testament to the streaming platforms that have truly revolutionized the industry.
When is the Oscars?
The 94th Oscars ceremony will be delayed a month–originally scheduled on Feb. 27, the annual show will now be pushed to March 27, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced. The awards ceremony will take place at the Dolby Theatre and will be airing live on ABC. Oscar nominations for the 2022 event will be announced on Feb. 8.
Can Streaming Movies Be Nominated for an Oscar?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science will be allowing movies that were released on streaming services to qualifying for the 2022 Oscars. However, this doesn’t mean that every movie on streaming platforms will qualify for the 2022 Oscars. In order to be eligible for the awards ceremony, the movies must have a release date that is between March 1 and Dec. 31, 2021. Although streaming platforms have certainly revolutionized the film industry, there is nothing quite like heading to the actual theatre, seeing the latest releases on the big screen. As more Americans are getting fully vaccinated, there are still many individuals who are still partaking in safety precautions. Movie theatres are also enforcing a safe return to the theatres, doing everything possible to make guests feel safe with mask reminders and hand sanitizing stations just about everywhere. But on June 15, California movie theatres will be able to operate at full capacity just in time for the summer movie season. Whatever your preference is, though, one great thing about the current industry is that you can watch new releases in the comfort of your own home or back in the theatre.
About Vedette Finance
Vedette Finance, founded in 2012, is a film development and finance company, with a wide-reaching international network of finance and talent. The company’s fundamental objective is to develop its premium value slate, creatively, and structure the financing, to maintain a steady output of high-quality film releasing. With expansive assets in finance and intellectual property, CEO and Founder, Tarek Anthony Jabre, is heading numerous film projects, at all different stages of production. Vedette Finance continues to grow it’s fund; allocated and directed towards a diversified slate of films. The fundamental aim is to maintain consistent delivery of high-end product, quality, and financial return; by syndicating and partnering with those of the highest expertise and experience in the entertainment industry. For more information on Vedette Finance, visit our contact page.
Major Studios Headed to Vegas in August for Cinemacon 2021
CinemaCon 2021
CinemaCon 2021 will be hosted and organized by the National Association of Theatre Owners at Caesars Palace’s Colosseum in Las Vegas, NV on August 23, 2021 through August 26, 2021. The annual convention was originally scheduled in April and postponed after over a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Theatre owners, studio executives, movie connoisseurs, and some of Hollywood’s best-known stars will finally be able to socialize and collaborate with one another at one of the most thrilling and exclusive conventions in the world. Additionally, this year’s convention has an added importance, given the entire industry was put on hold due to Covid-19 for over a year. Now that films are finally being released in theatres again, CinemaCon is back just in time to celebrate the return of the reopening of theatres and the film industry.
As more and more vaccinations have rolled out for individuals nationwide, the optimism surrounding theatres reopening and CinemaCon has given people the ability and confidence to look forward to such big events.
When is CinemaCon?
After being postponed for over a year, the CinemaCon 2021 convention will be taking place during the fourth week of August 2021, from Monday, August 23 through Thursday, August 26 to present some of the biggest blockbusters, academy award contenders, legendary stars, directors, filmmakers, and more. From the biggest studios, including Walt Disney Studios, Paramount, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., Sony Pictures, and more, attendees can expect to see some of the most exclusive footage from what will be the biggest hits of 2022 and beyond. In addition to some of the biggest studios mentioned above, Lionsgate, Focus Features, MGM (newly acquired by Amazon), and more will be among the studios expected to attend the convention.
Where is CinemaCon?
CinemaCon 2021 will be held at Caesars Palace’s Colosseum in Las Vegas, NV. Given the current state of the pandemic, the convention will operate under specific Covid-19 guidelines, which will maintain a capacity of 80% and social distancing of a maximum of three feet. In addition, temperature screenings, as well as hand sanitizing stations will be expected at the event. To ensure sufficient social distancing, extra-wide isles within the convention will also be implemented.
Registration For CinemaCon 2021
CinemaCon 2021 is gearing up for a safe reopening of the convention after more than a year. To ensure the health, safety, and welfare of all attendees, CinemaCon and the National Association of Theatre Owners are doing everything possible to enforce Covid-19 protocols. Therefore, no exceptions will be made. Everyone attending the event will need to show full proof of a Covid-19 vaccination or proof of a negative Covid-19 test result within 48 hours. You can learn more about the registration process on CinemaCon’s website. The schedule of events for CinemaCon 2021 is expected to be posted sometime in June 2021. You can stay up to date by visiting the CinemaCon website. The CinemaCon awards, also known as CinemaCon’s Big Screen Achievement Awards, are annually given on the last night of the convention. This year’s CinemaCon event is a particularly special event after a year of not being able to experience movies together, whether from the production side or as an audience. But now that the world is opening back up in a safe way and theatres are being able to provide this experience together, it is a unique celebration for all moviegoers.
About Vedette Finance
Vedette Finance, is a film development and finance company, founded by Tarek Anthony Jabre. Vedette Finance’ objective is to develop its premium value slate, creativity, and structure the financing, to maintain a steady output of high-quality film releasing. Tarek Anthony Jabre is heading numerous film projects, all at different stages of production. His fundamental aim is to maintain a consistent delivery of high-end product, quality, and financial return; by syndicating and partnering with those of the highest expertise and experience in the entertainment industry. Vedette Finance’s Feature Film division has rapidly grown, in both finance, and IP development. Contact us here, for more information on Vedette Finance.
Amazon Buys MGM: What You Need to Know
Did Amazon Buy MGM?
Amazon has agreed to buy MGM for the premium price of $8.45 billion. The 97-year-old film and television studio will now be handing the e-commerce conglomerate an extensive collection of TV shows and movies, including some of the most well-known film franchises, “James Bond” and “Rocky.”
The deal is almost as big as one of their most memorable purchases, acquiring Whole Foods in 2017 for a sizable $13.7 billion. The studio had been on the market for months and the huge price tag came as a surprise to many other prospective buyers, such as Apple and Comcast. Now that the studio has been acquired by Amazon, there is expected to be plenty of competition from the rapidly growing video-streaming industry, including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and many other companies. Amazon’s purchase of MGM gives them the opportunity to increase their premium content exponentially. Amazon Prime Video, which has over 150 million subscribers, is just behind the number one streaming service, Netflix, with over 200 million subscribers. Now with access to this extensive library of content, Amazon will be better positioned to compete with the likes of Netflix.
With MGM bringing almost a century’s worth of high-profile franchises, Amazon, one of the most powerful companies in the world, will be even bigger. While MGM comes with one of Hollywood’s most valuable franchises, James Bond, Amazon will only own half of Bond. The other half is owned by Barbara Broccoli and her brother, Michael G. Wilson. The two siblings have control over a number of factors surrounding the franchise, including creative control, the decision of when to make another Bond film, who should play the title character, and whether spinoffs or remakes can be made.
The 25th segment of the Bond series, “No Time to Die” is expected to be released October 8, after it was delayed due to the pandemic. After the release, the future of the Bond franchise is uncertain. But according to Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, they are “committed to making James Bond movies for the worldwide theatrical audience.”
Why is Amazon Buying MGM?
One thing is for sure, Amazon has the ability to pay just about any price and so they did. With a staggering market value of $1.76 trillion, it is no secret that Jeff Bezos is not afraid to make his mark in different markets. With that being said, Amazon paid a startling premium because of its profitable Prime membership program. In the press release reporting the deal, Amazon explained that the “vast catalog” of having “more than 4,000 films and 17,000 TV shows” is the reason behind the big purchase, which will surely add value to Amazon Prime’s video streaming service.
In addition to the decades-long list of James Bond films, there is a wide range of other classic films that Amazon will have, including “Thelma & Louise,” “Dances With the Wolves,” “Silence of the Lambs,” “Rocky,” and many more. Beyond that, Amazon will be acquiring a plethora of other films and TV shows; however, it is not completely transparent which content have rights that will be split up besides the Bond franchise, as Amazon will only own half of it. As for television, Amazon will also be getting “The Handmaid’s Tale”, “Vikings,” “Fargo,” and much more.
While it’s not the first time that Amazon has tried going Hollywood, their own studio has had mixed results. Two of Amazon’s shows, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and “Fleabag” did do very well and won best comedy series Emmys. However, many of Amazon’s other films did not top the box office. The purchase of MGM will certainly bolster the company, making Amazon even more successful and valuable than it already is.
What is MGM On Amazon?
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. is one of the oldest surviving film studios, which was originally founded in 1924. For nearly 100 years, MGM’s iconic logo–featuring a roaring lion–has been known worldwide as an instantly recognizable symbol of Hollywood and the movie industry. Over the course of its storied history, MGM released legendary films like “The Wizard of Oz,” “Gone With the Wind,” and “Singing in the Rain.” In the 1950s, the studio entered the then-new world of television, and in the decades that followed established itself as a premier producer of scores of TV’s biggest hits.
About Vedette Finance
Vedette Finance is a film development and finance company, founded by Tarek Anthony Jabre. Vedette Finance’ objective is to develop its premium value slate, creatively, and structure the financing, to maintain a steady output of high-quality film releasing. Tarek Anthony Jabre is heading numerous film projects, all at different stages of production. His fundamental aim is to maintain a consistent delivery of high-end product, quality, and financial return; by syndicating and partnering with those of the highest expertise and experience in the entertainment industry. Visit our contact page, for more information on Vedette Finance.