Latest news with #98thAcademyAwards
Epoch Times
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
New Rules for 2026 Oscars Enforce Member Film Viewership and AI Guidelines
The 98th annual Academy Awards will have a new set of rules and guidelines regarding film voting eligibility and regulations regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI). On April 21, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to be eligible to vote in the final round. 'There will be a preliminary round of voting to determine a shortlist of 10 films, and prior to nominations voting, 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,' it said in a In the past, members were only encouraged to watch the nominated films and vote where they felt compelled or qualified to, a move that questioned the integrity of voting in the first place. Among several other guidelines announced, generative AI was a major topic of discussion. When used in filmmaking, the academy noted that it will neither make nor break a nomination. 'With regard to Generative Artificial Intelligence and other digital tools used in the making of the film, the tools neither help nor harm the chances of achieving a nomination,' the statement said. Related Stories 3/18/2025 8/31/2024 '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.' Numerous major motion-picture stars have previously spoken In the last award season, actor Adrien Brody Meanwhile, issues regarding refugee filmmakers and clarification regarding casting categories were also addressed. Specifically, the eligibility for filmmakers with refugee or asylum status will be included, but they must be represented by a country not their own. '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.' The 98th Academy Awards will be held on March 15, 2026, broadcast live on ABC, and streamed on Hulu. Comedian and late-night television show host Conan O'Brien will
Daily Mail
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Oscars SLAMMED after revealing members never even watched the films they voted on
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. '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. 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. 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.
Hans India
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Oscars 2026: Academy introduces stricter voting rules, embraces AI in filmmaking
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has officially announced that the 98th Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Beverly Hills, Hollywood. Alongside this announcement, a series of significant changes were revealed, reshaping the future of the prestigious Oscars ceremony. One of the most notable updates is the introduction of a brand-new category — Best Stunt Design — recognizing excellence in action choreography and stunt execution. This move acknowledges the long-overdue importance of stunt professionals in filmmaking. In a bid to ensure fairer voting practices, the Academy's Board of Governors has also introduced stricter regulations for Oscar voters. For the 2026 ceremony, all members must watch every nominated film in a given category before submitting their votes. To enforce this, the Academy will track member activity on a voters-only streaming platform and require voters to declare where and how they viewed each film, whether in theaters or at festivals. Additionally, the Academy has responded to the growing influence of technology in cinema by clarifying its stance on Generative Artificial Intelligence. The use of AI will neither give an advantage nor disadvantage a film's chances. However, the human element behind the creative process will remain the central criterion for recognition. This AI-inclusive policy follows recent controversies involving AI-assisted films like The Brutalist and Emilia Perez, reaffirming the Academy's evolving approach to innovation while preserving artistic integrity.
The Hindu
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Oscars tighten voting rules for 2026 Academy Awards: Watch all nominees or lose the vote
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has unveiled new rules for the 98th Academy Awards, including a major shift in voting procedures: members must now watch all nominated films in a category to vote for its winner. The change is aimed at reducing uninformed or 'coattail' voting and ensuring more thoughtful choices from Academy members. Voting will now be restricted through the Academy Screening Room, the organisation's official platform. Members will only access ballots for categories where they've verified they've seen every nominee. For viewings outside the platform — such as at festivals or private screenings — members must submit a form documenting when and where the film was watched. This policy, previously limited to categories like international feature and short films, now applies across the board. ALSO READ:Oscars 2025: Two Oscar voters didn't choose Ralph Fiennes for 'Conclave' over a nonexistent win Another landmark update is the addition of a new competitive category: Achievement in Casting. For the first time, casting directors will be officially recognised for their work assembling a film's ensemble. The Casting Directors Branch will shortlist up to ten films, which will then go through a 'Bake-Off' screening and Q&A process. Five nominees will be selected, and the entire Academy will vote on the winner. Additional rules announced include earlier submission deadlines for original song and score categories, broader eligibility for international films from directors with refugee or asylum status, and formal guidelines for the use of generative AI in filmmaking. The Academy emphasized that AI tools will 'neither help nor harm' a film's chances, with the focus remaining on human creative authorship. The Best Cinematography category will now also include a shortlist phase, joining a dozen artisan categories already using this format. The Oscars are scheduled for March 15, 2026, with nominations voting beginning January 12. Final ballots will close March 5.
Hindustan Times
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
New rules set by the Academy for Oscars 2026: Members must watch all nominated films before voting
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced a significant rule change for the 98th Oscars: members must now confirm they've watched all nominated films in a category to be eligible to vote in the final round. This rule, which mirrors a process already used by BAFTA, aims to encourage more informed and responsible voting across the board. Viewing activity will be tracked through the Academy Screening Room, its exclusive members-only streaming platform. For films seen outside the platform—at festivals, screenings, or private events—members will need to submit a form detailing when and where they watched the film. This verification system, already used in select categories like international feature and animated short, will now be implemented across all voting categories. Additionally, final ballots will now include the names of all individual nominees, rather than just the film title. A post shared by The Academy (@theacademy) A new category, Achievement in Casting, has also been introduced. The Casting Directors Branch will shortlist up to 10 films based on the creative input and collaboration demonstrated during casting. These films will then be presented in a 'Bake-Off' event featuring five-minute reels and Q&A sessions. Following the presentations, branch members who have viewed all 10 films will vote to determine the five nominees. Final voting will be open to all members, who will receive an edited version of the presentations. In another expansion, the shortlist process will now include the Best Cinematography category, with 10 to 20 films selected for further consideration. This brings the total number of artisan categories using shortlists to 12, with only production design, costume design, and film editing still bypassing this phase. The Academy has also issued its first formal guidance on the use of generative AI in filmmaking. The new rule states: 'With regard to Generative Artificial Intelligence and other digital tools used in the making of the film, the tools neither help nor harm the chances of achieving a nomination. 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.' Key deadlines for the upcoming season include September 10 and November 13 for Best Picture eligibility, depending on a film's release window. The 98th Academy Awards will take place on March 15, 2026.
