Academy Conducting Review Of Campaign Procedures After Oscar Nominations Raise Suspicions
Following the latest nominations announcement, rumors have surfaced regarding possible anomalies in the Oscar campaign. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) issued a statement stating that it is "doing a review of the campaign methods around this year's nominations" because of these suspicions.
AMPAS also said that it is mulling whether changes to the guidelines are necessary in lieu of the new era of social media and digital communication. The organization’s statement doesn’t mention a specific film or individual, but many are theorizing that it is in response to Andrea Riseborough’s surprise Best Actress nomination for the less talked about drama To Leslie. The nomination was a surprise to Andrea as well, never expecting her performance in To Leslie to edge out veterans like Viola Davis and Danielle Deadwyler.
During its brief theatrical run in October 2022, To Leslie made a little over $27,000, ranking it among the lowest-grossing films to ever receive an Oscar nomination. The directors took it upon themselves to ensure that the movie was entered and uploaded via the Academy's screening portal despite having almost no funds for an awards campaign. To raise support for the movie, Riseborough and Morris also sought assistance from their friends. Charlize Theron, Gwyneth Paltrow, Courteney Cox, Edward Norton, Jennifer Aniston, and Minnie Driver were among the celebrities that hosted screenings. Riseborough entered the discourse in the final days before voting ended thanks to a social media campaign led by these celebrities as well as Demi Moore, Jane Fonda, Naomi Watts, Kate Winslet, Laura Dern, Frances Fisher, and many more.
No results have been released, but AMPAS has promised to ensure that the Oscars competition is conducted in a fair and ethical manner, ensuring an inclusive awards process. Despite speculations surrounding To Leslie, AMPAS intends to conduct an unbiased review of its procedures, reiterating that it supports genuine grassroots campaigns for outstanding performances.