Oscars to stream free globally in 2029

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is moving the Oscars ceremony to YouTube in 2029. The broadcast will be free to an estimated 2.5 billion viewers across more than 30 languages. CEO Bill Kramer announced the plan at the Tokyo International Film Festival. He described the move as intentional to reach a wider global audience.

Kramer, President Lynette Howell Taylor, and Chief Membership Officer Meredith Shea spoke at a panel in Tokyo. They discussed the organization's push to increase non-U.S. membership. Kramer noted that the share of members living outside the United States has risen from roughly 5% to 25% over the past decade. The Academy currently has about 70 members in Japan.

He cited the 2020 win for 'Parasite' as a turning point. Kramer said that moment shifted how the Academy views global cinema. He stated that every category at the most recent ceremony included international representation, including the Best Picture race. The leadership team aims to reflect the way people now make and watch films worldwide.

Howell Taylor explained the process for finding new members. Each branch has an Aperture committee tasked with identifying filmmakers globally. These groups target specific countries that are underrepresented each year. She clarified that the larger membership does not lower the standards for entry. She said the Academy previously missed excellent talent because it was not looking far enough beyond the U.S.

Shea highlighted structural changes to lower barriers for entry. Submitting a film for Oscar consideration costs nothing in any category. More than 200 festival awards now make short films automatically eligible. Members can also screen contenders via the Academy Screening Room app. She emphasized that the Academy is global and welcomes all filmmakers, not just those based in Los Angeles.

The Academy has visited India, London, Rio, Morelia, Marrakech, and Busan in recent years. Kramer called this the first official Academy trip to the Tokyo Film Festival. He said the organization will continue these city-by-city events around the world. The festival awarded Kramer its Global Cinema Leadership Special Award during the event.

Leadership is also reviewing which festivals qualify films for the international feature race. Kramer said the Academy is currently expanding that list. He noted that the original six festivals were chosen partly for calendar timing. Discussions are ongoing right now. She also noted that animated feature submissions have grown from 12 to nearly 40 over the past decade.