Academy tightens voting rules and breaks silence on AI in films ahead of 2026 Oscars

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has implemented a significant change for the 98th Academy Awards: Oscar voters will only be able to vote in categories where they have watched all the nominated films.

Announced on Monday, the new rule marks a move away from the previous honour system that allowed members to vote without verifying full viewership.

This update, set to be enforced for the March 2026 ceremony, aims to ensure more informed voting across all categories. Previously, this requirement was limited to specific categories like Best International Feature Film and Best Documentary Feature. Now, the rule will be applied category-by-category, permitting voters to participate only in those they are fully familiar with.

Although the regulation does not apply during the shortlist and nomination phases, it is expected to encourage greater engagement from Academy members. With approximately 40 feature films and 15 shorts typically nominated each year, the Academy Screening Room platform will serve as the primary hub for members to access eligible content. A new "seen elsewhere" option will also allow members to confirm viewings done outside the platform.

In a further revision, all final ballots will now include the names of the designated nominees, not just film titles, aligning the entire voting process with the transparency previously reserved for acting categories.

The Academy has also addressed the increasing role of Artificial Intelligence in filmmaking. A statement from the Science and Technology Council clarified that generative AI tools do not affect a film’s eligibility for nomination, emphasising that creative authorship must remain driven by human input.

Other updates include adjustments to campaigning rules, specifically prohibiting negative comments or social media activity aimed at discrediting other nominees. Offenders could face penalties for breaching these revised guidelines.

The 2026 Oscars will also debut a new category: Achievement in Casting. A shortlist and detailed “bake-off” presentations will precede the final nominations. Earlier, the Academy also introduced another new category, Best Stunt Design set to be awarded 2027 onwards.