The producers of the Oscars are catching backlash for requiring nominees to attend the awards ceremony in person. They will not be allowed to participate virtually on Zoom like they have been able to do at previous award shows.
The Academy sent out letters to all nominees last week to inform them that all acceptance speeches at the 93rd Annual Academy Awards must be done in person at the Union Station in downtown Los Angeles, Deadline reports.
The move is creating a logistical nightmare for international nominees and for their teams of publicists, studios, and/or distributors who would be tasked with getting their contenders to L.A.
International nominees will be required to quarantine, eating into their budgets. Not to mention that the required quarantine could potentially cut into their work schedules if they are currently working on a project. On top of having quarantining stateside, countries such as Italy, France, and the United Kingdom are in various lockdown stages, have implemented travel restrictions, or require quarantine.
Deadline reporter Pete Hammond asked Emerald Fennell, nominated three times for Promising Young Woman if she will be able to attend. She is a London-based producer.
“I hope so,” she said. “It depends on all the different rules, and if I am allowed in the country, I will be there, of course. However, I am a bit nervous in case the rules change and am not able to. It is kind of terrifying right now.”
SAG and BAFTA are doing virtual shows. The Emmys, Critics Choice, and the Golden Globes were all held virtually. According to sources, there are no plans for the Oscars to go virtual, but there is still time between and the air date of April 25.
