The film academy has announced a review of «campaigning procedures» following a backlash at this year’s Oscar nominations.
British actor Andrea Riseborough has been named surprise best actress for her role in Indie To Leslie after a popular campaign backed by the likes of Kate Winslet, Jane Fonda, Charlize Theron, Gwyneth Paltrow and Amy Adams.
Although the academy does not mention Riseborough or the actors involved in the last-minute campaign, the statement does hint at questions that have arisen since this week’s announcement.
«The Academy’s goal is to ensure that the awards competition is conducted in a fair and ethical manner, and we are committed to ensuring an inclusive awards process,» the statement read. “We are conducting a review of campaign procedures around this year’s nominees, to ensure that no guidelines have been violated and to advise if changes to guidelines may be necessary in a new era of social media and social media. digital communications. We trust the integrity of our nomination and voting procedures, and support genuine grassroots campaigns for outstanding performance.
Riseborough’s inclusion in the category surprised many prognosticators given the film’s low profile during awards season. Her film To Leslie only made $27,000 when it was released last October and although she was nominated for an Independent Spirit award, she was not chosen by either the Golden Globes or the Screen Actors Guild.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the film’s director, Michael Morris, and his wife, actress Mary McCormack, «contacted nearly every one» of their famous friends to ask them to watch the film and spread the word on social media. social. Support soon followed with Theron hosting a screening in November, Winslet leading a Q&A session and online posts appearing from others including Edward Norton and Susan Sarandon. Many of the posts also included similar wording, referring to the movie as «a little movie with a giant heart.»
Riseborough told Deadline she was «astonished» by the nomination. «It was so hard to believe this could happen because we really hadn’t been in contention for anything else,» she said. «Even though we had a lot of support, the idea that this could actually happen seemed so far away.» Winslet also said it was «hard earned» and «deeply deserved».
Sources tell Variety that the academy has been «inundated» with calls and emails regarding the nomination, but no formal complaint has been filed. The academy is due to meet on Tuesday and that will apparently be on the agenda.
Riseborough is included in the category alongside Cate Blanchett, Ana de Armas, Michelle Williams and Michelle Yeoh.