Are Taylor Swift, Beyoncé's concert films eligible for Academy Awards
Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé and Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour are two of the most anticipated concert films of 2023. The former is slated for a December 2023 release, whereas the latter will premiere on Friday (October 13). As the anticipation is quite high, fans wondered if the two films will be eligible for Academy Awards nominations. Well, BeyHives and Swifties, we have got you covered! Let's dissect the Academy laws.
The Academy's bylaws regarding consideration of films
Both films will not be up for the 96th Academy Awards documentary nominations under current rules. The bylaws state only "a theatrically released nonfiction motion picture dealing creatively with cultural, artistic, historical, social, scientific, economic or other subjects" can be considered. "It may be photographed in actual occurrence, or may employ partial reenactment...as long as the emphasis is on fact and not on fiction." Also, neither of them was submitted for consideration within the deadline (October 3).
Music documentaries are eligible for nomination
A special section of the bylaws also states, "Works that are essentially promotional or instructional are not eligible, nor are works that are essentially unfiltered records of performances." Earlier Madonna's Truth or Dare following her controversial Blond Ambition tour in 1990, premiered out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival. Filmed versions of Broadway productions, like Hamilton, did not qualify for the Oscars under the amended COVID-19 rules. Interestingly, music documentaries like Summer of Soul have been considered for Oscars.
