Kiss the Future: Why was Ben Affleck’s Matt Damon film disqualified from the 2025 Oscars? Check the rules

The documentary Kiss the Future, produced by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, has been critically acclaimed and has won numerous awards this year. However, the film has suffered a setback after its nomination was rejected at the prestigious 2025 Oscars.

The filmmakers’ application to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was denied, Deadline reported Monday. The awards governing body rejected the documentary because it did not meet technical criteria for theatrical release.

Why Did ‘Kiss the Future’ Fail to Qualify for a 2024 Oscar Nomination?

According to Deadline, all Oscar-nominated films must be released in a specific number of theaters in the United States. However, the film “Kiss the Future” failed to meet the specific criteria associated with the frequency of the film’s release in a day, Deadline said in its report.

Challenging the “three theatrical screenings in one day” standard, the producers wrote in their pleading that the film had been screened multiple times at numerous international film festivals and had been distributed theatrically by AMC for two weeks in 139 theaters in all major U.S. markets.

“In some theaters, the film was shown three times a day, but… the programmers (AMC) neglected to make a three-times-a-day screening in New York or Los Angeles,” the producers said in the letter, as reported by Deadline. The film’s producers also criticized the Academy’s decision on the criteria, which they said was misinterpreted.

The Academy’s response to the Kiss the Future producers’ appeal

Producers Damon, Affleck and Sarah Anthony argued in their appeal that the film was released in 139 AMC theaters, including those in Los Angeles and New York.

They also said the wide release should have made the film eligible for consideration for the 2025 Oscars.
In response to the filmmakers’ appeal, the Academy responded: “The Documentary Section Executive Committee has reviewed the appeal for KISS THE FUTURE. We regret to inform you that the appeal has been denied and the film has been deemed ineligible. While we know this news is disappointing, we assure you that the situation has been carefully discussed and evaluated. These difficult decisions are not taken lightly by the Committee, but the process is necessary to be fair and consistent with all submissions.”