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Oscar voters actually need to watch the nominated movies now
Oscar statues in a press preview in February 2025.
(
Richard Shotwell
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Invision/AP
)
In order to cast a final-round vote in the Oscars race, Academy members are now required to watch each film nominated in a category. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that news on Monday, along with other updates to rules for the 2026 Oscars.
Until now, that was a requirement for nominations in specialty categories, like documentary feature and international feature. But members voting in all other categories have been on the honor system — encouraged, but not required, to watch all the nominated films and performances for which they vote in the final round.
The organization says it does monitor whether or not its members view nominated films on its private online screening room. Going forward, members will need to submit a form indicating whether they've seen films "elsewhere," such as at a film festival or a private event, before they can vote for finalists.
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The Academy also shared new insight into its approach to artificial intelligence in filmmaking – an increasingly hot topic in Hollywood, where AI played a major part in labor negotiations during the 2023 writers and actors strikes. Going forward, generative AI and other digital tools "neither help nor harm the chances of achieving a nomination," reads the new regulation. "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."
Best picture nominee The Brutalist prompted conversation earlier this year over the use of an AI tool to enhance the Hungarian accents of co-stars Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones.
In its new regulations, the Academy also opened more possibilities for filmmakers who are refugees or have asylum status in the countries from which films are submitted. A new rule states that to be eligible for consideration in the international feature film category, countries will now have to 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."
For the first time, casting directors will get their own Oscars statuettes in the 2026 Oscars. They are required to submit "written descriptions of the casting process unique to their films," and to include "a photo grid of the cast and/or the full cast list."
Next year's Oscars ceremony will be March 15, 2026, hosted by comedian Conan O'Brien and broadcast live on ABC.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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