The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has officially launched the start of the race for the 97th Annual Academy Awards, scheduled to be held on Sunday, March 2, 2025. The Academy Screening Room has unveiled its initial selection of titles available to its members. Among the movies currently accessible are Thelma from Magnolia Pictures, Shirley, Hit Man, and the animated Ultraman: Rising – all from Netflix, along with Wildcat released by Oscilloscope Laboratories. This lineup is expected to expand as the season progresses. Last season’s costs stood at $20,000 for studio movies and $8,000 for independent films.
Thelma, a comedy featuring 94-year-old June Squibb as a grandmother who falls victim to an internet money scam targeting the elderly, is a standout performance that Magnolia Pictures hopes will catch the eye of Oscar voters. Netflix is also making waves with breakout star Glen Powell’s diverse portrayal in the Richard Linklater comedy Hit Man, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival and was subsequently acquired by the streaming giant. On the other hand, Netflix’s Shirley, starring Oscar winner Regina King as Shirley Chisolm, has gained significance in light of recent events, such as Kamala Harris becoming the first Black woman to secure the Democratic Presidential nomination.
Exciting Additions to the Academy Screening Room
Wildcat, which debuted at Telluride last year, received acclaim for Director/Co-Writer Ethan Hawke and his daughter Maya Hawke’s performances. Ultraman: Rising, an animated feature from Netflix, is among the many titles vying for attention from the Academy, following the success of Netflix’s Pinnochio with Guillermo del Toro winning an Oscar in the Animated Feature Category. The Academy has assured its members that the screening room will continuously update its selection as new films become available.
Member Benefits and Streaming Platforms
In addition to movie screenings, the Academy Screening Room provides members with access to Academy Museum programming, unconscious bias sessions, and Academy-in-Brief series highlighting various initiatives and award processes. The platform is supported on multiple streaming platforms such as Apple TV, Roku, and Android TV, as well as the Academy’s website and mobile app with AirPlay and Chromecast support. Furthermore, starting next week, Amazon Fire TV users will be able to access the Academy Screening Room for the first time.
As the season progresses, film enthusiasts and industry insiders are eagerly awaiting the commencement of the Fall Festivals, kicking off at Venice and Telluride, followed by Toronto. With a promise of exciting new titles and groundbreaking performances, the 97th Annual Academy Awards season is already shaping up to be an unforgettable ride. Fasten your seatbelts and get ready for a cinematic journey like no other.
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