The Academy has launched an investigation into its campaign guidelines “in a new era of social media and digital communication”.
The sudden announcement on Friday afternoon came without any context or reason for the move. Reports linked it to Andrea Riseborough’s surprise nod in the lead actress category for To Leslie.
The film, released in the US by Momentum Pictures, grossed $27,322 in its initial release and is returning to six theatres this weekend. The Academy had not replied to questions at time of writing.
Riseborough’s performance as an alcoholic in West Texas on the road to redemption earned praise on social media and has garnered a strong celebrity following from the likes of fellow nominee Cate Blanchett, Kate Winslet, Ed Norton, and Gwyneth Paltrow.
The Academy’s full statement appears below:
It is the Academy’s goal to ensure that the Awards competition is conducted in a fair and ethical manner, and we are committed to ensuring an inclusive awards process.
We are conducting a review of the campaign procedures around this year’s nominees, to ensure that no guidelines were violated, and to inform us whether changes to the guidelines may be needed in a new era of social media and digital communication.
We have confidence in the integrity of our nomination and voting procedures, and support genuine grassroots campaigns for outstanding performances.
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