Yahoo Movies New York Times Cuts Movie Reviews in Blow to Independent, Documentary Films
The New York Times’ decision to change its movie review policy — no longer guaranteeing its critics will offer their take on every film that opens in NYC — is bad news for independent and documentary filmmakers and distributors who count on the notice to build their films’ profiles.
The paper will still review studio films, according to an internal email obtained by Variety Thursday, and would continue to review as many new films as it could, but noted decisions would be made on a “case by case basis.”
The paper’s long-established policy has been a boon for smaller film companies, whose art house and awards-type films benefit from the wide exposure they’d otherwise not receive in many cases.
The decision will also affect the documentary feature category of the Oscars, which requires a review in either the New York Times or L.A. Times for consideration, as well as a theatrical release. The movie “wouldn’t necessarily require a rule change,” an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences spokeswoman said, because films that were reviewed by the L.A. Times would still qualify.
More to come …
Related stories from TheWrap:
Jon Stewart Rips Apart Judith Miller Over Iraq Reporting: You Pushed Us Into 'Devastating' Mistake
New York Times Nears Content Deal With Facebook
Inside New York Times Chaotic Layoffs, How Jill Abramson Exit Hurt Female Staffers
