Wikipedia:Notability (films)/November 2021 Draft RFC

RfC: Should we replace the NFF policy with new text?
Background: Since 2008, the policy governing future films has been ambiguous, with two predominant and conflicting interpretations of the policy. This has resulted in frequent unresolved arguments during deletion discussions where one camp believes a standalone article on an unreleased film is premature and should be deleted, while the other camp believes a standalone article is beneficial and should be retained. This RfC attempts to clarify and present the two positions for discussion and community consensus.

Question: Which of the following should be done to the policy "Notability (films) § Future films, incomplete films, and undistributed films"?


 * Option 0 – No change. Leave it as it is.

 Future films, incomplete films, and undistributed films 

Films that have not been confirmed by reliable sources to have commenced principal photography should not have their own articles, as budget issues, scripting issues and casting issues can interfere with a project well ahead of its intended filming date. The assumption should also not be made that because a film is likely to be a high-profile release it will be immune to setbacks—there is no "sure thing" production. Until the start of principal photography, information on the film might be included in articles about its subject material, if available. Sources must be used to confirm the start of principal photography after shooting has begun.

In the case of animated films, reliable sources must confirm that the film is clearly out of the pre-production process, meaning that the final animation frames are actively being drawn and/or rendered, and final recordings of voice-overs and music have commenced.

Additionally, films that have already begun shooting, but have not yet been publicly released (theatres or video), should generally not have their own articles unless the production itself is notable per the notability guidelines. Similarly, films produced in the past which were either not completed or not distributed should not have their own articles, unless their failure was notable per the guidelines.


 * Option 1 – Swap it out with new language that clarifies that unreleased films can only have a standalone article if they receive significant coverage of the production phase of filmmaking and that the production phase is generally notable.

 Future films, incomplete films, and undistributed films 

Films in the development or pre-production stages are rarely, if ever, considered notable enough to qualify for a standalone article. Content about such films may be included in other articles, such as those of the film's director, producer, lead actor or actress, or studio. Budget issues, scripting issues and casting issues can interfere with a project well ahead of its intended filming date, and no assumptions should be made that because a film is likely to be a high-profile release it will be immune to setbacks—there is no "sure thing" production.

Films in the production or post-production stages normally will not qualify for standalone articles. They may qualify if production itself satisfies general notability because production has received significant coverage by independent secondary reliable sources, such as broad coverage of accidents on set. Sources must be provided to confirm the start of production phase has begun. The following do not contribute towards notability requirements at this stage: coverage of plans for the film; announcements of the cast and other personnel; interviews with filmmakers and cast members; and trivial mentions about the production of the film such as reports that filming has started or completed. In the case of animated films, reliable sources must confirm that the film is clearly out of the pre-production process, meaning that the final animation frames are actively being drawn and/or rendered, and final recordings of voice-overs and music have commenced. There is no prohibition against starting a draft article on a film in anticipation of passing notability after it is released and distributed, and non-qualifying standalone articles may be draftified.

Films that have been released and distributed are no longer future films and so are covered by the guidelines above.

Films produced in the past which were either not completed or not distributed should not have standalone articles, unless their failure was notable per the guidelines.


 * Option 2 – Swap it out with new language that eases the guidelines for notability for unreleased films, and allows for standalone articles sooner than option 1 would.

 Future films, incomplete films, and undistributed films 

Future films that have commenced principal photography and have a scheduled theatrical release, may be allowed a standalone article despite not meeting a strict interpretation of the WP:GNG. It is to be expected that a future film, despite intense popular interest, is unlikely to have reliably published commentary that discusses the film directly and in depth. The expectation is that the film is large budget, requiring creditors, and involves notable stars, and a notable director, and that on release, the film will certainly be notable. Content still must be based on reliable sources. Speculation about the future film is not suitable for Wikipedia. Trivia about production is discouraged. If there are few reliable and independent sources, the article should remain as a stub class article.

Principal photography has commenced, and general high-profile cinematic release is anticipated, the requirement for multiple sources to meet all clauses of the WP:GNG is lessened. The criteria are:
 * WP:NFF Reliable and independent sources confirm the start of principal photography, after shooting has begun.
 * WP:NFF Reliable and independent sources confirm the intention for cinematic theatrical release, and the approximate time (month) of that release.

Animated films. In the case of animated films, reliable sources must confirm that the film is clearly out of the pre-production process, meaning that the final animation frames are actively being drawn and/or rendered, and final recordings of voice-overs and music have commenced.

Subscriber-only released films. Films that are produced for subscriber-only release, without general cinematic release, do not meet the expectation for wide, high-profile release, and instead should be treated under WP:CORP as commercial products of the production-subscription company.


 * Option 3 – Other. Please specify.

Enter Option 0, Option 1, Option 2, or Option 3 (with details), followed by a brief explanation, in the Survey section below. Back-and-forth discussions between editors go in the Threaded discussion section below.