The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has officially kicked off the race for the 97th Annual Academy Awards, set to take place on March 2, 2025. Members of the Academy are already buzzing with anticipation as the Academy Screening Room has released its first batch of titles for consideration.
New Contenders for Awards
Among the movies currently available for viewing are “Thelma” from Magnolia Pictures, “Shirley”, “Hit Man”, and the animated feature “Ultraman: Rising” from Netflix, as well as “Wildcat” released by Oscilloscope Laboratories. These films represent just a fraction of what is expected to be a growing list of contenders in the upcoming award season.
Diverse Selection of Films
“Thelma” tells the story of a grandmother who falls victim to an internet scam targeting the elderly and takes matters into her own hands, with hopes of catching the eye of Oscar voters. Netflix, on the other hand, is pushing for attention on breakout star Glen Powell’s performance in “Hit Man”, a comedy directed by Richard Linklater that premiered at the Venice Film Festival.
Netflix is also highlighting the film “Shirley”, starring Regina King as Shirley Chisolm, the first Black woman to run for the Democratic Presidential nomination in 1972. The film, directed by John Ridley, has gained relevance due to recent political events, sparking conversations about its significance in today’s context.
The Academy Screening Room, a member-only streaming platform, offers a variety of films throughout the season for members to view. Available on multiple platforms including Apple TV, Roku, and Android TV, members have access to a range of content from Academy Museum programming to sessions on unconscious bias.
Expansion of Streaming Options
In an effort to further expand accessibility, the Academy Screening Room will be launching on Amazon Fire TV next week. The platform promises to continue adding new films as soon as distributors make them available, ensuring that members have a wide selection of movies to view.
With the Fall Festivals at Venice, Telluride, and Toronto just around the corner, the anticipation for the upcoming award season is palpable. As the season continues to unfold, members are gearing up for what promises to be an exciting and competitive race for the coveted Academy Awards.
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