Full Breakdown
Billy Preston Documentary Leads the 99th Academy Awards Screening Season
6/11/2026, 2:28:51 PM
First Film Uploaded to Academy Screening Room: “Billy Preston: That’s the Way God Planned It”
Paris Barclay’s documentary on keyboard legend Billy Preston became the inaugural title on the Academy Screening Room, the members-only streaming platform used by roughly 11,000 Oscar voters for the 99th Academy Awards. The upload, announced in February 2026, is described as the “unofficial starting gun” for a race that will span the next eight-plus months of the awards calendar.
Background: The Screening Room’s New Timeline
Historically, the Academy makes its first slate of screeners available in August. This year, the first film appeared in mid-February, giving voters an unprecedented head start. New titles will be added every Friday across all categories—best picture, documentary feature, animated feature, international feature, and short films—through the end of the season.
Key Figures: Director Paris Barclay and Music Icon Billy Preston
Barclay, a veteran television director with nearly 200 episodes of series such as *NYPD Blue*, *ER*, *The West Wing*, *Lost*, *The Good Wife*, *CSI*, *Sons of Anarchy*, and *Glee*, has earned two Emmy wins and eight additional nominations. “The documentary marks Barclay’s first feature-length film.”
Billy Preston (1946-2006) was a Grammy-winning keyboardist who performed with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand, Little Richard and others. His 1969 breakthrough single “That’s the Way God Planned It” was recorded for Apple Records and produced by George Harrison. Preston was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2021.
Production Details, Content, and Reception
Distributed by Abramorama, the film opened in select theaters on Feb. 20, 2026, beginning with a run at New York City’s Film Forum after premiering at SXSW in 2024. It overcame a legal challenge on the eve of its SXSW debut. The documentary features interviews with Billy Porter, Ringo Starr, Merry Clayton, and longtime friend Eric Clapton, and includes an original score by Robert Glasper. Producers include Stephanie Allain, Cheo Hodari Coker, Jeanne Elfant Festa, and Nigel Sinclair.
Data & Statistics
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 90%
- Academy Screening Room members: ~11,000
- Theatrical release: Feb. 20, 2026 (Film Forum)
- SXSW premiere: 2024
- Barclay’s Emmy record: 2 wins, 8 nominations
Official Statements & Responses
The Academy notes that the Screening Room is a secure, members-only platform enabling voters to stream eligible titles for awards consideration. By releasing the first screener in February, the Academy aims to provide voters “a head start on watching movies for consideration for the upcoming Academy Awards.”
Legal Challenge and Information Gaps
Sources confirm the documentary faced a legal challenge immediately before its SXSW premiere, but details of the dispute, its resolution, and any lingering implications remain undisclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The upload serves as the unofficial starting gun for a race that will unfold over the next eight-plus months.” — *Variety*
- “as the documentary reveals, Billy Preston was an elusive figure — ebullient and all there, and also hidden and mysterious.” — Owen Gleiberman, *Variety* critic
- “Just when you think you’re watching an upbeat pop doc, the dark side of Billy Preston’s life comes crashing in. And is it ever dark.” — Owen Gleiberman, *Variety* critic
- “The documentary marks Barclay’s first feature-length film and is by one of television’s most acclaimed and accomplished directors.” — *Variety*
What’s Next: Ongoing Availability for Voters
Following the February debut, additional titles will be uploaded each Friday, allowing Oscar voters to continue building their viewing schedules well before the nomination and final voting phases.
