The anticipation for the 97th Annual Academy Awards has officially kicked off, signaling the beginning of the race to the prestigious event that will be held on Sunday, March 2, 2025. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has opened up the Academy Screening Room, offering its first batch of titles to its members to start the season on an exciting note.
The Current Lineup of Movies
Among the initial titles available for viewing in the Academy Screening Room are movies like Thelma from Magnolia Pictures, Shirley, Hit Man, and the animated Ultraman: Rising, all of which are from Netflix. In addition, Wildcat released by Oscilloscope Laboratories is also part of the lineup. However, it is expected that the list will expand as more films get added throughout the season.
Thelma, a comedy film, features the talented 94-year-old June Squibb in the lead role as a grandmother who falls victim to an internet money scam targeting the elderly. Determined to take matters into her own hands, Squibb’s performance aims to captivate Oscar voters, as well as the audience in the Golden Globes Comedy/Musical category and critics circles.
Netflix is showcasing its range with movies like Hit Man, a Richard Linklater comedy based on real events, featuring breakout star Glen Powell in various disguises. The streaming platform is also highlighting the timely release of Shirley, a biopic centered on Shirley Chisolm, portrayed by Oscar winner Regina King, who was the first Black woman to run for the Democratic Presidential nomination in 1972.
Wildcat, which premiered at Telluride last year, has gained recognition for Director/Co-Writer Ethan Hawke and his daughter Maya Hawke’s performance as American novelist Flannery O’Connor. Additionally, Ultraman: Rising, one of Netflix’s animated features, aims to capture the attention of the Academy following the success of Guillermo del Toro’s Pinnochio in the Animated Feature Category at the 2022 Oscars.
Academy Screening Room Offerings
The Academy Screening Room, a member-only streaming platform, provides opportunities for members to view films throughout the awards season. With the ability to stream on various platforms including Apple TV, Roku, Android TV, online member site, and the mobile member App with AirPlay and Chromecast support, members have easy access to a wide range of content.
In addition to film screenings, the Academy Screening Room also offers Academy Museum programming, Academy Member Unconscious Bias Session, and Academy-In-Brief series to keep members engaged and informed about Academy initiatives and the awards process. As distributors continue to make films available, the Academy promises to keep adding new content to the screening platform, ensuring a diverse lineup for its members.
With the Fall Festivals at Venice, Telluride, and Toronto just around the corner, the excitement for the upcoming award season is palpable. As the season progresses, filmmakers, actors, and audiences alike are in for a thrilling ride as they navigate through the array of films vying for recognition at the 97th Annual Academy Awards. Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a memorable journey.
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