Documentary 'Kiss the Future' about Wartime Sarajevo Still in the Oscar Race

(Patria) - Oscar winners and best friends Ben Affleck and Matt Damon will have a chance to win another Oscar for producing the documentary "Kiss the Future," which tells the story of the connection between the citizens of Sarajevo and the famous band U2.

Variety exclusively reports that the Academy has approved the documentary for consideration for the upcoming 97th Academy Awards, as reported by Faktor.ba.

The decision followed an initial ruling by the Academy's Documentary Branch Executive Committee, which deemed the film ineligible, citing a failure to meet the requirement for daily theatrical screenings under Academy regulations.

In a procedural review, the Academy Awards Committee reassessed "Kiss the Future" as part of its commitment to fairness and inclusion in the nomination acceptance process.

The committee ultimately overturned the initial decision, citing the film's release on over 100 screens across multiple markets as evidence of its broad theatrical intent, which aligns with the Academy's goal of promoting theatrical experiences for moviegoers.

The reversal highlights an enduring precedent within the Academy, where initial eligibility decisions can be changed to ensure the spirit of the Oscars' mission is upheld.

The film "Kiss the Future," directed by Nenad Cicin-Šain, explores the resilience of Sarajevo's citizens during the aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a special focus on the band U2's engagement in raising global awareness of the events in our country.

The film "Kiss the Future" premiered at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival in February 2023, and was released in theaters by AMC Theaters in February 2024.

As for the 97th Academy Awards ceremony, it will be held in March, with final nominations to be announced in January.