Academy Reverses Decision to Boot Oscar Categories From Broadcast

Academy Awards (Deposit Photos)

After facing criticism from some of the biggest names in the film industry, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has reversed its decision to hand out four Oscars during commercial breaks.

“The Academy has heard the feedback from its membership regarding the Oscar presentation of four awards – Cinematography, Film Editing, Live Action Short, and Makeup and Hairstyling,” the Academy said in a statement Friday afternoon. “All Academy Awards will be presented without edits, in our traditional format. We look forward to Oscar Sunday, February 24.”

The reversal came after a Thursday night meeting between top cinematographers and Academy leadership, according to Variety.

Read More: Here’s the Open Letter Sent to the Film Academy

On Monday, Feb. 11, the Academy informed its members that four awards would be announced during commercials in an effort to limit the broadcast to three hours. The plan was to air edited versions of the winning speeches later in the show, and in turn save time by not showing the winners walking to and from the stage.

The move angered many industry insiders, who began flooding social media with complaints about the changes. Then on Wednesday, dozens of cinematographers and filmmakers sent the Academy an open letter calling the decision “insulting.”

A day later, more directors and actors added their names to the letter, which included signatures from more than 100 industry veterans such as Martin Scorsese, Spike Lee, Quentin Tarantino, George Clooney, Sterling K. Brown and Kerry Washington.

The Academy now says all 24 Oscars will be handed out during the live broadcast on Feb. 24.