The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has made a significant announcement: all Oscar voters are now required to watch every film nominated in each category before casting their final votes. This new rule aims to address a long-standing concern that some voters may overlook certain films in the selection process.
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According to the Academy, this requirement will take effect for the upcoming Oscars ceremony scheduled for March 2026. Previously, the Academy operated on an honor system, trusting voters to view all Oscar-nominated films before making their decisions. However, with an increasing number of nominees in recent years, some voters have openly acknowledged falling short of this expectation.
For films viewed outside traditional settings—such as theaters or festival screenings—voters will now need to complete a form detailing when and where they watched the films, as reported by the Hollywood Reporter. This step fosters accountability and ensures a more informed voting process.
Specifically for the Best Picture category, which features ten nominated films, studios typically organize lavish events to engage voters during the awards season. These events often include parties, screenings, and Q&A sessions with actors and filmmakers, creating an immersive experience that enhances voter familiarity with the nominated works.
The Academy also addressed a topic that stirred controversy in the previous voting season: the role of artificial intelligence in filmmaking, as seen in titles like “The Brutalist” and “Emilia Pérez.” In guidance released on Monday, the Academy clarified that the use of AI and similar digital tools will “neither help nor harm the chances of achieving a nomination.” They emphasized that the adoption of technology does not disqualify a film from consideration.
As the Academy stated, “The Academy and each branch will judge the achievement, taking into account the degree to which a human was at the heart of the creative authorship when choosing which movie to award.” This reflection emphasizes the importance of human ingenuity in the filmmaking process, despite the advancements in technology.
Source: AFP
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
