Academy gives formal rejection to 'Bloody Sunday'

Paul Greengrass' acclaimed historical drama 'Bloody Sunday' has been officially rejected by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, after it fell foul of eligibility criteria stemming from a UK television broadcast earlier this year.
The film had its first public screening in a commercial theatre in London on January 20 2002, however later that same night it was broadcast on television across the UK. The film added extra theatrical dates on January 25 and played for 12 weeks in cinemas.
Rule Three of the Academy's eligibility criteria stipulates that any film first screened outside the US may qualify for submission provided that the original screening took place in a commercial cinema after January 1, 2002. It goes on to state that the film cannot be shown publicly in any other medium for six months after the start of its theatrical run, which is where 'Bloody Sunday' appears to have failed to meet the criteria.
(GB)