In a shocking shift that has left many in the film industry baffled, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced it will no longer host big-screen screenings of Oscar-nominated films for its members. This decision, quietly revealed in January’s Academy Bulletin, has sparked intense debate among members, with some now rallying to protest the change. But here's where it gets controversial: Is this a practical move to save resources, or a betrayal of the cinematic experience the Academy claims to champion?
For years, the Academy has organized screenings of Oscar contenders in major cities like Los Angeles, New York, and London, both before and after nominations were announced. However, attendance at these events has plummeted in recent years, particularly since the launch of the Academy Screening Room—a members-only streaming service introduced seven years ago. The Academy cites abysmal turnout at post-nomination screenings, with an average of just five members attending in the last two years, each event costing thousands of dollars to host. Their solution? Cut the screenings entirely.
But this is the part most people miss: Some members are furious, arguing that films like Frankenstein and Avatar: Fire and Ash deserve to be experienced on the big screen, not on a small device at home. They view this decision as a disconnect from the Academy’s mission to honor the art of cinema. One member told The Hollywood Reporter, “How can we properly evaluate these films without the immersive experience of a theater?”
The Academy, however, counters that members have had ample opportunities to see nominated films on the big screen before nominations—whether through official Academy screenings, commercial cinemas, or studio-organized FYC (For Your Consideration) events. They’ve even streamlined access to FYC screenings via a calendar on their members-only website. So, is this a case of adapting to modern viewing habits, or a sacrilege to the theatrical experience?
Here’s the full letter from the Academy to its members, which lays out their reasoning:
Dear Academy Members,
Thank you for your unwavering dedication and participation this Oscars season. We hope you were able to join us for the historic Oscars Nominations Announcement this week.
Over the past several months, we were thrilled to host over 300 first-run Oscar-qualifying film screenings for members in Los Angeles, the Bay Area, New York, and London. This included nominated films, shortlisted International Feature films, and shortlisted films in our short film categories. We’re grateful to all members who participated.
Additionally, we’ve expanded member access to FYC screenings organized by our industry partners through our FYC screenings calendar on the member site. It’s been inspiring to see the commitment from our partners in providing more opportunities for members to experience these films on the big screen. If you haven’t opted into this feature yet, we encourage you to do so on the member site.
Moving forward, due to the incredibly low turnout at post-nomination screenings in recent years (averaging just five members per screening over the last two years), we will no longer rescreen these films. Please note that, in addition to FYC screening opportunities, all nominated films are available for viewing on the Academy Screening Room.
Thank you for taking advantage of these offerings—your continued support and passion for cinema mean the world to us.
Warm regards,
The Academy
Now, we want to hear from you: Is the Academy’s decision a pragmatic response to changing viewing habits, or a disservice to the art of filmmaking? Should cinematic masterpieces be judged on a small screen? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this debate is far from over!
