The date of the Oscar ceremony could be brought forward from its traditional March date to February, it was revealed this week. The move is intended to make the nomination process shorter and to ensure low-budget and independent films such as Fargo and Pulp Fiction are fresher in the public's mind.
Likely to benefit from the move would be internationally acclaimed directors such as All ABout My Mother's Pedro Almodovar and Lars Von Trier, whose latest film Dancing In The Dark, starring pop singer Bjork, was not even nominated.
Films with limitless promotional budgets such as Lord Of The Rings and Jurassic Park, along with blockbusters released in the run-up to the Awards, currently tend to overshadow smaller efforts released earlier in the year.
"Moving up a month makes those films fresher in the minds not just of the Academy voters, but everyone who sees films," said Academy spokeswoman Leslie Unger.
If implemented, the change would take place in 2004, leaving this year's Oscars to go ahead as scheduled on March 23, 2003.
Early contenders in the 75th Academy Awards Best Film category are Steven Spielberg´s Minority Report, starring Tom Cruise, the Al Pacino and Robin Williams vehicle Insomnia and the Brit flick About A Boy, featuring Hugh Grant.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
