The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced new diversity quotas that films must meet to be eligible for future best picture awards.
The academy said on Tuesday that films must include a diverse cast to win the top Oscar starting in 2024. Academy President David Rubin and academy CEO Dawn Hudson said that they hope the changes will help promote diversity in Hollywood.
“The aperture must widen to reflect our diverse global population in both the creation of motion pictures and in the audiences who connect with them. The Academy is committed to playing a vital role in helping make this a reality,” they said in a press release. “We believe these inclusion standards will be a catalyst for long-lasting, essential change in our industry.”
The new eligibility requirements mandate that films meet two of four criteria: a diverse cast, a diverse film crew, internship or apprenticeship opportunities for minority students, or a diverse senior marketing team.
Starting in 2022, filmmakers will need to file information about their diversity to qualify for best picture, but they will not need to meet the eligibility criteria until 2024. The diversity markers are only required to be eligible for the best picture category.
The Oscars have been criticized for their lack of diversity for several years, with many trolling the event with #OscarsSoWhite.
