The Academy raises the list of the best international feature films to 15

The 2021 Oscars ceremony is just over three months away, but that doesn’t mean we won’t see more pandemic-related changes in this year’s awards season by then. According to the Hollywood Journalist, the Academy recently decided to change the selection process for its shortlist of best international feature films due to “concerns about their ability to protect the security of the process” now that it must take place online. They also expand the selection from ten to 15 films.

In a nutshell, the selection process usually involves a preliminary committee of volunteers choosing seven films in person, to which the International Film Executive Committee adds three films, or “records”, usually films which they believe have been overlooked and deserve a chance at the price. Which films are chosen by which committee are never revealed publicly.

However, according to THR, the Academy ruled that “holding the executive committee’s online deliberations through Zoom or a similar platform would expose them to leaks or hacks.” Rather than risk having their debate exposed, this year’s process will allow the preliminary committee to pick virtually the entire shortlist, which, again, will have 15 slots instead of ten.

The list of finalists for Best International Feature and many other lists for this year’s Oscars will be announced on February 9, and the nominees will be announced on March 15.