LOS ANGELES : Judge Rejects Filmmaker’s Challenge of Oscar Rules

A judge Monday denied a request to halt Oscar nominations until a dispute is resolved over eligibility of “The Last Seduction,” a movie that first aired on the Home Box Office network.

Lawyers for October Films sued the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, challenging its rule that films shown on TV before being released theatrically are ineligible for Oscars.

“It is not shown that there are any unlawful means in applying the (Academy’s) rules,” Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert O’Brien wrote in denying the request.

“We’re obviously disappointed,” said October Films attorney Aton Arbisser. “We knew it was an uphill battle.”

Academy attorney Dominic Surprenant was unavailable for comment on the ruling.

Arbisser said he and co-counsel Pierce O’Donnell are going to discuss with October Films executives whether the company should go forward with its lawsuit.