LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – The “No Zoom” policy for this year’s Oscars celebrates a headache for a number of nominees living outside the United States who remain under restricted restrictions, according to Hollywood publications.
Variety and Deadline Hollywood reported Wednesday that publicists and some studio executives have complained to the film academy about logistics, costs, and quarantine issues raised by the decision to ban nominees from participating in the distance ritual.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which organizes the ceremony, has not returned a request for comment on the reports.
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, an April 25 exhibition to present the highest honors in the film industry will be presented both at Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles and the traditional home of the Academy Awards at House Dolby in Hollywood.
Delegates last week said there will be no “Zoom in option for the show” and urged nominees to attend in person.
At least nine nominees, including Promising Young Woman director Emerald Fennell and star Carey Mulligan, live in Britain. England are expected next week to ban ineligible international travel until mid-May.
Representatives from the top five international films – starring Denmark, Hong Kong, Romania, Tunisia and Bosnia – could face barriers to getting to Los Angeles, Variety and Head- note day.
Some of the other 200 nominees will work on productions that require quarantine or reside in limited “bubbles” with team and crew, the publications said.
Visitors to California are currently expected to quarantine for 10 days. Travelers to countries outside the United States are also subject to various quarantine requirements.
Variety said a meeting this week to discuss the issues between the Academy, film studio executives and publicans has been postponed.
Other awards ceremonies in recent months have replaced the usual personal collections at gala dinners and on stage with pre-recorded appearances or meaningful events, or a combination of those with small personal collections.
But television audiences have declined, with the Golden Globes and Grammys attracting the lowest numbers in decades.
Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Edited by Cynthia Osterman