The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has made some changes to the way films are being shortlisted for the International Feature Film category (formerly named the Best Foreign Language Film) in the 93rd Academy Awards.
This is owing to complications caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
What happens usually is that the main committee of volunteers from the Academy choose their seven picks, then a smaller International Film Executive Committee adds three more titles – generally referred to as "saves" – to create a shortlist of 10 films.
However, in 2021, the main committee will complete all of the work in phase one of the voting, this time creating an expanded shortlist of 15 choices.
This is similar to how it was done in the past, before it was changed in 2008 owing to controversy over glaring omissions of global successes such as 2002's City of God, set in Brazil, and Romania's 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days.
The updated rules made sure the best of world cinema wasn't passed over by the larger committee of volunteers.
What films are "saves" and which ones were originally chosen by the larger committee is never divulged, so not to influence the selection of the five nominees and the winner.
This year, however, we won't have to wonder, when, on Tuesday, February 9, the expanded list of international contenders is revealed.
The reason for these changes stems from the way in which the executive committee would have met. Usually, the films that received the most votes would be confidentially revealed to the executive committee by representatives of accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers. After debate, they then add their three "saves".
Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, they could not meet in person, but instead virtually, which would increase the risk of leaks. This new process cuts out the need for a meeting at all.
This year, there was an unofficial record-breaking 93 submissions. Among them are seven from the Arab world, including Jordan's 200 Metres, Lebanon's Broken Keys and Scales from Saudi Arabia.
The nominations for the 93rd Academy Awards will be announced on March 15, with the ceremony, which was originally scheduled for Sunday, February 28, now taking place on Sunday, April 25.
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Company profile
Name: Steppi
Founders: Joe Franklin and Milos Savic
Launched: February 2020
Size: 10,000 users by the end of July and a goal of 200,000 users by the end of the year
Employees: Five
Based: Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai
Financing stage: Two seed rounds – the first sourced from angel investors and the founders' personal savings
Second round raised Dh720,000 from silent investors in June this year
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
