Streaming films now eligible for Oscars, but for 1 year only

Movies that skip the big screen will be allowed to contend for Oscars this year, the Academy said Tuesday in a significant rule change forced by the coronavirus pandemic. Photo: AFP filepic

Movies that skip the big screen will be allowed to contend for Oscars this year, the Academy said Tuesday in a significant rule change forced by the coronavirus pandemic.

Traditionally the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences requires at least a seven-day run in Los Angeles theatres for movies to be eligible for Hollywood's biggest prize. But picture houses in America's second city have been closed since mid-March, with no date set for them to reopen.