28 August 2008 10:01 AM, PDT | From Studio Briefing - Film News | See recent Studio Briefing - Film News news
Nine documentary films are being screened in mostly empty theaters at a New York arthouse this week in order to qualify for Oscar consideration by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The New York Times reported that when its reporter looked into the 7:00 p.m. screenings, it found two theaters with not a single person in the seats and one with just three. The producer of one of the films said that she had not advertised or promoted the film. "My goal for this run was to qualify for the Academy Awards period." In reporting on the qualifying screenings, the Times observed, "Most of these filmmakers plan to release their films later this year or next with greater fanfare. But they don't want to waste their resources -- or precious media reviews -- till then."
