Oscars introduce major rule changes on AI, acting nominations and international films

Only performances "demonstrably performed" by human actors with their consent will be eligible for acting OScars

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has unveiled sweeping new rules for the upcoming Academy Awards, addressing the growing role of artificial intelligence, reshaping acting categories, and expanding opportunities for international films.

One of the most significant updates focuses on AI. Under the new rules, only performances “demonstrably performed” by human actors with their consent will be eligible for acting awards, while screenplays must also be written by humans to qualify. The move comes amid rising concern in Hollywood about the use of generative AI in creative work and its potential impact on jobs and artistic integrity.

The Academy has also introduced a major shift in acting categories, now allowing performers to receive multiple nominations in the same category if more than one of their performances ranks among the top vote-getters. This overturns a long-standing rule that limited actors to a single nomination per category, even if they delivered multiple acclaimed performances in the same year.

Changes have also been made to the Best International Feature category. Films will now be able to qualify through major global film festivals such as Cannes, Sundance, and Berlin, rather than relying solely on country submissions.

Additionally, the award will now be credited to the film’s director instead of the country, marking a significant shift in how international cinema is recognised.

The updates reflect the Academy’s attempt to modernise the Oscars in response to evolving technology and a more global film landscape. While AI tools may still be used in filmmaking, the new rules make clear that human creativity must remain at the center of award recognition.

The revised guidelines will take effect for the 99th Academy Awards, scheduled for 2027, and are expected to have a major impact on how films are made, campaigned, and evaluated moving forward.