'They don't need it': Angry fans up in arms as Taylor Swift and Beyonce's concert films are 'ineligible' for Oscars
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA: Speculations about the 2024 Oscar Awards are already circulating online. Before the nominations start, the latest reports say the concert films of Beyonce and Taylor Swift will not be eligible for the Oscars.
Under the current guidelines of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, both concert films are ineligible for a nomination in the 'Documentary Feature Film' category.
Swift's movie 'Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour' will hit the theatres on October 13, while Beyonce's movie 'Renaissance: A Film By Beyonce' will be released on December 1.
Why are Taylor Swift and Beyonce's concert films ineligible for the Oscars?
The guidelines of the 96th Academy Awards define a documentary film as "a theatrically released nonfiction motion picture dealing creatively with cultural, artistic, historical, social, scientific, economic or other subjects. It may be photographed in actual occurrence, or may employ partial reenactment, stock footage, stills, animation, stop-motion or other techniques, as long as the emphasis is on fact and not on fiction."
Furthermore, Part B of the Special Rules Section states, "Works that are essentially promotional or instructional are not eligible, nor are works that are essentially unfiltered records of performances." Both these bylaws prevent the movies from entering the 96th Academy Awards nominations.
Variety has reported that neither of the films was submitted for consideration for the Best Documentary Feature before the deadline. October 2 was the last date to upload the movie digitally.
What are the films about?
'Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour' contains Swift's incredible Eras Tour concerts and has her song performances from all ten albums.
"The Eras Tour has been the most meaningful, electric experience of my life so far and I'm overjoyed to tell you that it'll be coming to the big screen soon," Swift wrote on X.
The Eras Tour has been the most meaningful, electric experience of my life so far and I’m overjoyed to tell you that it’ll be coming to the big screen soon 😆 Starting Oct 13th you’ll be able to experience the concert film in theaters in North America! Tickets are on sale now at… pic.twitter.com/eKRqS8C7d1
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) August 31, 2023
'Renaissance: A Film By Beyonce' portrays the journey of the Renaissance World Tour. The movie includes her background rehearsals, glimpses of family members, and the tour's opening show to the grand finale.
Fans diss Oscars saying singers are 'Queens already'
Netizens took to social media to react against The Academy's bylaws. Fans praised Swift and Beyonce, saying they do not need an Oscar to prove their talent.
A fan showed her support by tweeting, "They don't need it to be icons."
"They both have the best year with or without the Oscars," stated another user.
Swifties are reacting, saying she would have won if nominated, while the Beyhives claim Beyonce would have won the award.
Also, some fans support both music stars, stating they are eligible for it.
Another user stated the possibility of room for new categories to honor amazing concert films that now seem to be part of package for pop stars' world tours.
Interesting! The Oscars have some specific guidelines, but there's always room for new categories to honor amazing concert films.
— A n k i s h (@franklyankish) October 9, 2023
Wonder if there will be a new category made as a result
— Samantha J. Foster Composer (@sjfostersound) October 9, 2023
