MUMBAI: With campaigning for the 84th Academy Awards starting to heat up, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has issued tough new campaign regulations that restricts what events filmmakers may participate in.

The Academy also issued a stern warning that it is extending its existing ban on negative campaigning to cover social media platforms. Explaining the reason for the new regulations, Academy COO Ric Robertson has been quoted a s saying, "It‘s really a perception problem for us.The Oscars are about what our members see on screen and think is quality work. To the extent that the public dialog about the Oscars is who threw a good party or ran a successful campaign versus the quality of the work, that‘s off-point for us. We want people to be taking about the work."
 
There are no restrictions on screening events -- Q&As and receptions -- before nominations are announced on 24 January. Understandably, many of the promotional events that studios will be having in December will not be affected.

Hence, after the nominations are revealed and until final ballots are due on Feb. 21, the restrictions kick in. Receptions will not be permitted after screenings, although there are no restrictions on the total number of screenings per film.

Individual filmmakers may take part in no more than two panel discussions on behalf of a given film to which Academy members are invited. (That filmmaker, though, still would be free to participate in a WGA or DGA event.)

Additionally, between the nomination announcements and the final vote, Academy members may not be invited to or attend any non-screening event that promotes or honors a nominated movie or individual.

Nominees themselves are also barred from attending such events. However, the Academy‘s own events as well as awards ceremonies held by the guilds, critics‘ groups and other organizations are exempted.