As Cinema Halls Fight For Survival, Academy Creates New Honour For Theatres

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is turning the spotlight onto an often-overlooked part of the film industry, the places where audiences actually watch movies. In a move aimed at celebrating cinema beyond the filmmakers themselves, the organisation has unveiled a new global initiative that honours theatres delivering exceptional moviegoing experiences.

Called the Academy Marquee List, the programme will recognise outstanding cinemas across the world for their contribution to film culture, audience engagement and preservation of the theatrical experience. The initiative is scheduled to launch in spring 2027, coinciding with the Academy’s 100th anniversary celebrations.

Unlike the Oscars, the new recognition is not meant for actors,

directors or producers. Instead, it focuses on movie theatres that have become important cultural spaces within their communities while continuing to champion the big-screen experience.

The Academy plans to select 50 theatres every year — 25 from the United States and 25 from other countries. A committee comprising Academy members from different branches will review submissions, with final approval coming from the Academy’s Board of Governors.

The idea for the initiative came from filmmaker Jason Reitman, a governor of the Academy’s Directors Branch. Reitman has recently become involved in exhibition himself after leading efforts to save Los Angeles’ historic Fox Village Westwood Theatre. Following the end of the venue’s lease with Regency Theatres, its future had become uncertain.

To preserve the landmark theatre, Reitman brought together more than 30 filmmakers, including Steven Spielberg and Christopher Nolan, who contributed to the effort and became part owners. The venue is expected to reopen in 2027 through an operating partnership with American Cinematheque, the organisation that has also played a role in preserving iconic theatres such as the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood and the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica.

Announcing the Academy Marquee List, Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor said, “We are thrilled to launch the Academy Marquee Theater List, which will celebrate moviegoing and honor theaters that bring communities together through the power of cinematic storytelling. From classic movie palaces, to multiplexes, to independent cinemas, the Academy Marquee Theater List will recognize the best movie theaters around the world and unite our global film industry. We are deeply grateful to Governor Jason Reitman for sharing the idea for this program and to the entire Board of Governors for their guidance and support in launching this initiative.”

To qualify, theatres must operate year-round from a permanent physical location and can be situated anywhere in the world. Both first-run cinemas and venues known for repertory screenings are eligible. A single theatre chain or owner can submit up to 10 locations during a submission cycle, though each entry requires a separate fee.

Applications will be judged on several factors, including community involvement, programming diversity, accessibility and inclusion, historical significance, preservation efforts, audio and visual presentation quality, theatre design, lighting, overall condition and concessions.

Winning venues will not receive Oscar statuettes. Instead, selected theatres will be showcased across the Academy’s website and social media platforms and will receive a physical certification that can be displayed at their locations.

The submission process is already open, with applications due by August 25, 2026, at 5 p.m. PT. The Academy has introduced a tiered fee structure, including an early-bird option. Submissions cost US $250 between June 1 and June 30, US $350 from July 1 to July 31, and US $450 from August 1 until the final deadline.

The initiative arrives at a time when movie theatres across many regions continue to face challenges years after the pandemic disrupted the exhibition business. Several prominent venues in Los Angeles have shut down or remain closed, including Landmark Theatres on Pico Boulevard and the Arclight chain. The iconic Cinerama Dome has remained shuttered since 2020, while the Bruin Theatre in Westwood sits vacant after its Regency lease expired, despite briefly drawing crowds during the release of Barbie.

By highlighting theatres that excel in presentation and audience experience, the Academy hopes to encourage exhibitors around the world to continue investing in cinema spaces and preserving the communal magic of watching films on the big screen.

Interestingly, the Academy itself operates one of the industry’s most respected screening venues — the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Los Angeles, where official Oscar screenings are held. While many Academy members now rely on digital screening platforms to watch awards contenders, the new initiative serves as a reminder that the theatrical experience remains a vital part of cinema culture. And for anyone wondering, home theatre systems will not be eligible for recognition.