OSCAR out with new rules

The organisers of the Academy Awards are putting rules in place for next year to prevent any missteps in the film campaign process targeting the music categories.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, hosts of the annual Oscar ceremony, said last Wednesday that members of its music branch were not allowed to contact other members via mail, email, telephone or social media to promote the nomination of their song.

Voting members are also not permitted to attend a live performance of eligible songs unless it is tied to a film screening.

The new regulations come after an Oscar-nominated contender in the original song category this year was disqualified after the Academy said the songwriter, Bruce Broughton, had violated rules by emailing voters about submitting the song for awards consideration.

Broughton, a former Academy Governor and Executive Committee Member in its music branch, had composed the title song for the independent Christian-faith movie Alone Yet Not Alone, which beat out higher-profile contenders to secure a place on the Oscars' best original song shortlist.

Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs said in a statement at the time that Broughton's use of his position in the Academy to promote his Oscar submission "creates the appearance of an unfair advantage."

Broughton denied any wrongdoing and said he was "devastated" at the disqualification of his song. Four contenders remained in the race, and the Oscar was won by Let It Go, the hit tune from Walt Disney Co's animated film, Frozen.

Studios begin the Oscar campaigns for their movies months ahead of the awards ceremony, hosting screenings and events to promote eligible submissions.

The academy on Wednesday released an updated list of rules, including regulation of screenings. It

said studios could include question-and-answer sessions with talent, but after nominations were announced, no screening event could include a reception offering complimentary food and beverages, and academy members could not host or serve as moderators.