Matt Damon-Ben Affleck's documentary disqualified from Oscars: Here's why
What's the story
The Oscar eligibility of Kiss the Future, a documentary produced by Hollywood stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, has been challenged by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
The Academy argues that the film did not meet a specific criterion requiring it to be screened three times daily for a week in "the same commercial motion picture theater."
This rule pertaining to "all eligible motion pictures" has reportedly been part of the Academy guidelines since the 93rd Oscars.
Director's response
'Kiss the Future' director refutes Academy's claim
Nenad Cicin-Sain, the director of Kiss the Future, disputed the Academy's interpretation of its rules.
He stated that Rule Two Section 2d, which includes the disputed screening requirement, applies to feature films and not documentaries.
Oscar sources told Deadline that similar rules for documentary films were added to the guidelines this year.
But Cicin-Sain noted that his film completed its qualifying run in February 2024, before these new rules were published by the Academy.
Appeal process
'Kiss the Future' producers appealed against disqualification
Earlier, the Academy rejected an appeal from Damon, Affleck, and co-producer Sarah Anthony who contended that the wide release of their film at 139 AMC cinemas should make it eligible for an Oscar.
The documentary branch executive committee countered by stating that Kiss the Future was only screened twice a day in a qualifying market, not three times as required by Rule 12 of Oscar guidelines.
Rule interpretation
Social media users and filmmakers questioned Academy's interpretation
Following the appeal's rejection, social media users pointed out that the rules do not specify a film must be screened on a single screen in a qualifying market.
They argued that considering all screens in qualifying markets collectively, Kiss the Future was screened more than three times daily.
Agreeing with this analysis, Cicin-Sain wrote to the Academy stating that their documentary should be considered properly qualified.
Rulebook dispute
Disagreement over which rulebook applies to 'Kiss the Future'
The disagreement may ultimately hinge on which set of rules applies to Kiss the Future.
The filmmakers argue that the rulebook for the 96th Oscars, which does not mention a documentary needing to play in a single location three times daily, should apply.
However, Academy sources claim that a new rule was added for the 97th Academy Awards stating that "The seven consecutive days of the theatrical release are required to occur in one venue."