Oscars includes deaf actors and crew in new diversity & inclusion standards
The organization behind the Oscars announced that beginning in 2024, a film candidate for the “Best Picture” award would have to meet a certain number of diversity and inclusion standards before they can be considered for a nomination.
One of the criteria includes having deaf or hard of hearing individuals as a part of the cast or crew.
The organization, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, made a list of standards and split it in four categories, A, B, C, and D.
An example — Standard A covers on-screen representation, themes, and narratives. In this “A" category, a film must have a lead or significant supporting actor from an underrepresented racial or ethnic group, for at least 30% of all actors in secondary and minor roles to be from an underrepresented group such as women, racial or ethic group, LGBTQ+, people with cognitive or physical disabilities, or deaf or hard of hearing people.
Standard B covers creative leadership and project team, Standard C covers industry access and opportunities, and Standard D covers audience development.
You can see that they require diverse and inclusive standards that include deaf or hard of hearing people.
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From what I understand, in order to be considered for “Best Picture,” a film has to meet half of the standards. This means meeting the “A” and “C” category, or other combinations.
This can become a very significant step forward for many deaf and hard of hearing people who have hopes of working in the film industry. Although the standards will go into effect in four years, this announcement from the Academy will start a shift in increasing diverse representation and inclusion both in front of and behind the camera.
It’s important to note that the Academy is requiring producers to submit an Academy Inclusion Standards form for a film to be considered for the Oscars after this current season that will end with the awards on April 25. The forms won’t count against a film’s consideration until 2024, but it’ll force producers and studios to start “practicing.”
Deaf Oscar winner Marlee Matlin tweeted a “thank you” to the Academy.
https://variety.com/2020/film/news/oscars-inclusion-standards-best-picture-diversity-1234762727/