Netflix‘s “KPop Demon Hunters” is a frontrunner at theOscars, but that won’t be the case for the BAFTAs.
The animated film, produced by Sony Pictures Animation and distributed by Netflix, has been ruled ineligible by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, despite a formal appeal by Netflix,Varietyhas confirmed.
BAFTA eligibility rules require films to have a qualifying theatrical release. However, under “exceptional circumstances,” the Film Committee may allow entries that have been made available to the U.K. public through other distribution models, such as event cinema.
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Netflix appealed under this clause, arguing that the film’s event-style theatrical run — though held two months after its streaming debut — warranted consideration. But BAFTA’s Film Committee rejected the appeal, stating that the film did not meet the eligibility criteria. Specifically, the film failed to achieve the minimum requirement of “at least 10 commercial screenings in the U.K. for at least seven days in aggregate.”
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Netflix released the film following a limited theatrical run in 264 U.K. cinemas on Aug. 23 and 24. It returned for additional screenings in 528 U.K. theaters over Halloween weekend. For Oscar eligibility, “KPop Demon Hunters” was screened from June 20 to 26 at three U.S. theaters: Landmark Opera Plaza Cinema in San Francisco, Laemmle Glendale in Los Angeles County, and the Quad Cinema in New York City. The screenings began on the same day the film debuted on Netflix.
Academy rules require that a film be shown for paid admission in a commercial theater in at least one of six qualifying U.S. metro areas: Los Angeles County; New York City (all five boroughs); the Bay Area (San Francisco, Marin, Alameda, San Mateo and Contra Costa counties); Chicago (Cook County, Illinois); Dallas–Fort Worth (Dallas and Tarrant counties, Texas); or Atlanta (Fulton County, Georgia).
Despite the setback, “KPop Demon Hunters” remains a major contender this awards season. Its breakout original song “Golden,” performed by K-pop group Huntr/x,recently earned three Grammy nominations, including song of the year. The soundtrack — which also includes singles “Your Idol” and “Soda Pop” — continues to chart on Billboard’s Hot 100, reinforcing the film’s cultural impact.
Netflix will still seek a nomination in the best animated feature category at the BAFTAs with Alex Woo’s “In Your Dreams,” which was recently released on the platform.
The BAFTAs reintroduced the best animated feature category in 2006. The original version of the award, first presented in 1955 and last awarded in 1982, covered both short and feature-length animated films. Over time, BAFTA split the category based on runtime: the best short animation award was introduced in the 1980s, and in 2007, the best animated film category was re-established as a feature-only award. The Academy Awards, by comparison, have recognized animated features since 2001.
Since both BAFTA and the Oscars began honoring animated features, no film has won the Academy Award forbest animated feature without first securing at least a BAFTA nod. Could this historical trend pose a hurdle for “KPop Demon Hunters” in its Oscar campaign? It’s too early to say definitively, but the absence from BAFTA consideration could open the door for other contenders to rise, including Disney’s “Zootopia 2,” Neon’s “Arco” or GKids’ “Little Amélie or the Character of Rain.”
Meanwhile, Netflix and Sony are building on the momentum of “KPop Demon Hunters”with a sequel, currently slated for release in 2029.
Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, the original film follows a world-renowned K-pop girl group who secretly lead double lives as demon hunters, juggling fame, fandom and fierce supernatural battles.
Deadline was first to report the news.
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