NEXT month’s Oscars will include a new “fan favorite” prize for the year’s most popular film as voted for by Twitter users, organizers said Monday, seeking to lure viewers back to a ceremony that has seen audiences plummet. The announcement — which will be made during the 94th Academy Awards telecast March 27 — comes after several crowd-pleasing blockbusters, including “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and James Bond film “No Time to Die,” failed to earn Oscar nominations in major categories, including best picture. Their omission raised fears that many movie fans will skip the show. But any film released in 2021 can be voted for in the new category using the Twitter hashtag #OscarsFanFavorite or via the Academy’s website, raising the chances of a blockbuster being honored on the night. Movie fans can vote up to 20 times per day until March 3, and three randomly selected winners will be invited to present an Oscar at next year’s ceremony. (SD-Agencies) |