The Oscars are the biggest night in Hollywood, but a new rule will now require the people who vote on who or what deserves awards will have to put in some more work.
On Monday, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced a new rule being implemented for the 98th Academy Awards scheduled for March 2026.
Behind all the glitz and glamor or learning who wore what, the new rule requires members to actually watch all the nominated films in various categories before voting on them.
Whether it will spice up the broadcast is anyone’s guess. The 2025 Oscars were dubbed boring by viewers who watch the 3.5+ hour show.
A press release from AMPAS did not say how voters will prove they have actually watched the movies which are nominated.
Film fans expressed their shock that the people who make life-changing decisions were not fully informed when they cast their votes.
The Oscars are the biggest night in Hollywood, but a new rule will now require the people who vote on who or what deserves awards will have to put in some more work
Zoe, a winner of the Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Emilia Perez, poses in the press room during the 97th Annual Oscars on March 2
‘What do you mean NOW you’re required to watch all the movies?’ queried a movie goer.
‘Makes sense. How can you vote on something you’ve never seen? A trailer doesn’t tell the story,’ commented another.
‘It hasn’t…is that how…last years movie….won….?’ questioned another regarding dark horse Anora winning five Oscars including Best Picture and Best Actress for Mikey Madison.
‘Makes sense why Demi more didn’t win the Oscar,’ stated a fan.
‘You mean the voting members voted without watching all the films? What a scam award show!’ exclaimed a disenchanted commenter.
More changes are afoot as well.
Beginning next year, all nominees will have their names included on the final ballot. In the past, only the movies were noted in some categories and not the actual person nominated.
In the Best International Film category filmmakers with refugee or asylum status will be allowed to be represented by a country not their own.
On Monday, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced a new rule requiring members to actually watch all the nominated films in various categories before voting on them
‘It hasn’t…is that how…last years movie….won….?’ questioned a fan regarding dark horse Anora winning five Oscars including Best Picture
Mikey Madison won the award for Best Actress for her role as a sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch; Pictured in Los Angeles in March
‘Makes sense why Demi more didn’t win the Oscar,’ stated a fan on social media after learning of the new rules; Pictured in Los Angeles in March
The rule reads, ‘The submitting country must confirm that creative control of the film was largely in the hands of citizens, residents, or individuals with refugee or asylum status in the submitting country.’
Another new rule regarding Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other digital tools states that ‘the tools neither help nor harm the chances of achieving a nomination.’
There was some controversy over the use of AI to enhance the Hungarian dialogue of The Brutalist stars Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones. Brody, 52, went on to win his second Best Actor award for the performance.
‘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,’ the Academy said in a statement.
A new rule regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other digital tools states that ‘the tools neither help nor harm the chances of achieving a nomination.’ AI was used to enhance the Hungarian dialogue of The Brutalist stars Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones
Brody, 52, went on to win his second Best Actor award for the performance; Pictured in Los Angeles in March
The next Academy Awards ceremonies are scheduled for March 15, 2026, with Conan O’Brien providing hosting duties again
There are also new rules for the new Achievement in Casting award.
‘There will be a preliminary round of voting to determine a shortlist of 10 films, and prior to nominations voting, ‘the Academy declared.
‘Casting Directors Branch members will be invited to view a “bake-off” presentation of the shortlisted achievements, including a Q&A with the designated nominees,’ the statement explained.
The next Academy Awards ceremonies are scheduled for March 15, 2026, with Conan O’Brien providing hosting duties again.
