When it was announced that the low-key, independent Christian film, "Alone, Yet Not Alone" received a nomination for the Academy Awards, it generated a great deal of shock. The shock was of great deal for many that a private investigator representing another film, that hoped to be nominated in the same category, was summoned to investigate the film's nomination.
A public relations firm emailed the producers of "Alone Yet Not Alone" stating the anonymous investigators were "researchers" who asked the producers if their film met one of the requirements for a nomination, which "advertised and exploited [the film] during its Los Angeles County qualifying run in print media." The producers of the film admitted that they did not purchase any advertisements when the film had a one-week run in Los Angeles from November 15-22, 2013.
Despite this piece of information, the Academy will not seek to revoke the ruling, stating that the film does indeed qualify for a nomination. "A showtime listing meets our eligibility requirements," said a spokesperson for the Academy. The qualification that granted the film eligibility was the Los Angeles theater's advertisement of the film.
"The Academy ruled that the advertisements posted by the Encino theater for those once-daily screenings were enough to qualify the song for an Oscar nomination," reports Vanity Fair. The anonymous private investigators have not yet issued a response.
"Alone, Yet Not Alone" received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song, which was written by Bruce Broughton and Dennis Speigel and performed by Christian singer Joni Eareckson Tada. The film was nominated alongside critical and commercial successful productions such as "Frozen," and "Despicable Me 2," which is why many were surprised that a relatively unknown film with minimum promotion was even considered.
Joni Eareckson Tada was also surprised like many of the nomination, but was thankful nonetheless. "I don't even know how this occurred. I don't know how the nomination process works, but I'm grateful," said Eareckson. "I think that the Academy recognizing this humble, good little song is rather wonderful."
The film was released in September 27, 2013 to only nine cities intended for a Christian demographic before making a brief run in Encino's theater. Based on the book by Tracy Leininger Craven, the story turned film covered the element of trusting God during turbulent times in a fictional setting. There has been no official word whether Eareckson will perform the song with its fellow nominees when the Academy Awards are broadcasted live on March 2.
