Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's Documentary Disqualified from Oscars

A documentary titled 'Kiss the Future,' produced by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, has been deemed ineligible for the Best Documentary category at the Oscars. The film screened in 139 AMC Theatres across major U.S. cities, including Los Angeles and New York, but the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences ruled that it did not meet the requirement of three daily screenings in a single venue. The filmmakers argue that the film exceeded the minimum screening requirements collectively across all locations. Director Cicin-Sain contends that the Academy's interpretation of the rules is overly strict, emphasizing that the guidelines do not explicitly state that the three daily screenings must occur in the same theater. He pointed out that the film played in qualifying cities for two weeks, surpassing the required number of screenings. The Academy, however, has introduced a new rule for the upcoming 97th Oscars, mandating that the seven consecutive days of theatrical release must occur in one venue, which has raised questions about the rationale behind this change. The filmmakers filed an appeal to the Academy, which was rejected, leading to frustration over the enforcement of the rules. Cicin-Sain expressed concern that the Academy is prioritizing the letter of the rule over its intended purpose, which is to encourage theatrical viewership. He highlighted that 'Kiss the Future' had a wide release, unlike many qualifying documentaries that receive limited screenings. The documentary focuses on the 1990 siege of Sarajevo and illustrates how U2's music provided hope to the city's residents during a challenging time. The filmmakers believe that their efforts to showcase the film in numerous theaters align with the spirit of the Academy's goals, yet they find themselves facing disqualification due to technicalities.