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Oscar voters will now be required to watch all films before casting ballots

Oscar voters will now be required to watch all films before casting ballots

The new rule addresses a longstanding concern that voters are skipping some films.
22 Apr, 2025

Oscar voters will be required to demonstrate that they have watched all the films in each category before they cast their final ballots, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Monday.

The new rule, which addresses a longstanding concern that voters are skipping some films, will apply for the next Oscars ceremony in March 2026, the Academy said in a statement.

The Academy previously operated under an honour system that voters would see every Oscar-nominated film before casting their ballots.

However, with the number of nominees growing in recent years, some voters have admitted not fully fulfilling that duty.

Under the new system, Academy members will be tracked on the organisation’s voters-only streaming platform to make sure they have watched each film.

For movies seen elsewhere, such as in cinemas or at festival screenings, voters will be required to “fill out a form” vouching for when and where it was watched, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

For the Best Picture category alone, which has 10 nominated films, competing studios traditionally host glitzy events to woo voters during their awards campaigns, with parties, screenings and festival showings, sometimes followed by Q&A sessions with the stars and filmmakers.

The Academy also weighed in on a controversy that arose during the last voting season, which was marred by questions about the use of artificial intelligence in movies, such as The Brutalist and Emilia Perez.

In guidance issued Monday, the Academy said AI and other digital tools will “neither help nor harm the chances of achieving a nomination.”

The new rule clarifies that the use of technology is not disqualifying.

“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.”

Comments

Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Apr 22, 2025 12:59pm
How could someone vote for something like a movie or TV show that he or she has not thoroughly seen, gone through, researched and analyzed?
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Hasni, Syed Apr 22, 2025 03:09pm
The decision to require Oscar voters to watch all nominated films before casting their ballots is a significant step towards promoting a more informed and equitable voting process. This move could help ensure that voters are not only familiar with the films but also able to appreciate the artistry and effort that goes into each nomination. By encouraging voters to engage with the entire breadth of nominated works, the Academy aims to foster a deeper understanding of the diverse narratives and perspectives represented in the industry. This change may lead to more thoughtful and representative choices in the awards, ultimately enriching the Oscars and the recognition of talent across various genres and backgrounds. It's also a reminder of the responsibility that comes with being part of such a prestigious voting body, emphasizing the importance of truly engaging with the art form that the Oscars celebrate. Overall, this initiative could enhance the integrity and credibility of the awards, making them more reflective of the artistic landscape of cinema today.
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Laila Apr 23, 2025 03:08am
The question is will that be enforced? If yes, how will it be enforced? Tracking for streaming and filling out forms for external viewing are far from bullet proof and riddled with loop holes. Instead they should have screenings where all members show up and watch it together. Or track them with video monitoring. Sounds good on paper. But obviously this cant be enforced.
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