Matt Damon and Ben Affleck's Documentary Will Not Compete for an Oscar Because of a Small Mistake. The Academy Is Not Going to Change Its Mind

As a passionate film enthusiast with a knack for historical events and their portrayal in cinema, I must say that the story of “Kiss the Future” resonates deeply with me. The documentary’s focus on the resilience of the human spirit amidst adversity, as seen through the lens of art and music, is truly inspiring. The fact that it managed to attract the attention of global icons like U2 adds an extra layer of intrigue and admiration for this production.


Matt Damon and Ben Affleck serve as producers for the documentary titled “Embrace the Tomorrow“. This widely appreciated and critically acclaimed film offers a glimpse into the happenings in Sarajevo during the 1990s, specifically highlighting the lively underground community that managed to make an impact through music and art. The efforts of this group drew global attention, even catching the notice of the band U2, who played a significant role in raising awareness about the siege of Sarajevo and the surrounding conflict. Additionally, “Embrace the Tomorrow” stands as evidence of U2’s pledge to perform a post-war concert in the liberated city.

The team behind the movie “Kiss the Future” eagerly hoped to see it compete in the Oscars, and they made adjustments to adhere to the Academy’s guidelines. Unfortunately, an overlooked detail led to the dismissal of “Kiss the Future” from Oscar consideration. Despite being screened in over 130 AMC theaters nationwide, with some locations showing it three times daily, a crucial requirement was not met in the qualifying market, where only two screenings took place each day. This factor significantly impacted the movie’s chances of Oscar contention (as reported by Deadline).

According to the regulations set by the Academy, information regarding feature-length documentaries can be found. These rules state that the film must have been screened in a commercial movie theater for paid admission within six major U.S. cities: Los Angeles County, New York City (five boroughs), the Bay Area (counties of San Francisco, Marin, Alameda, San Mateo, and Contra Costa), Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Atlanta. The screenings must take place at least three times a day during the theatrical release, with one screening starting between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. each day.

Regarding this challenging predicament, caused by not fulfilling one of the prerequisites for Oscar competition, Affleck, Damon, and Sarah Anthony penned a letter to both the Awards Committee and the Executive Committee of the Documentary Branch, requesting them to reconsider the situation and potentially alter the Academy’s ruling.

Initially shown at Berlinale in February 2023 during competition, this movie was subsequently chosen as the opening feature for the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2023 and the Sarajevo Film Festival in August 2023, winning the Audience Award at the latter. It has been screened at many other festivals, and in February 2024, AMC released it theatrically for a two-week run in 139 cinemas nationwide across major U.S. markets. However, the scheduling at AMC did not include three daily screenings in New York or Los Angeles.

It’s with a heavy heart I share the news, but it seems “Kiss the Future” won’t make the cut for Oscar consideration. The Academy has upheld their decision, and we must respect that every submission is treated equally and adheres to the same guidelines. Regrettably, in this case, “Kiss the Future” falls short of meeting all the necessary criteria.

The Executive Committee of the Documentary Branch has considered your appeal for the film titled “Kiss the Future”. Unfortunately, I must inform you that your appeal has been rejected, as the film was found ineligible according to our criteria. We understand this may be disappointing news, but please know that your submission underwent a comprehensive review and discussion. Making decisions like these is not easy for the Committee, but it’s essential to maintain fairness and consistency across all entries.

Despite a suggestion from the film producers about re-releasing “Kiss the Future” in cinemas to fulfill Academy’s conditions, this move wouldn’t aid their cause because the movie has already become available for streaming. This online debut precedes its qualifying theatrical release, which could potentially disqualify the documentary from Academy consideration.

Everyone associated with “Kiss the Future” is deeply disheartened due to this decision that stemmed from a minor oversight.

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2024-09-24 12:32