Each year when the Academy Award nominations come out avid fans scurry to see as many of the films nominated for Best Film as possible.
Members of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences are now required to see all of the nominated films in order to cast their votes in the final round that determines the winner.
The Academy has made a few other changes involving the awards…
Refugee or asylum status filmmakers may now be allowed to be represented by a country other than their own.
The new ruling states: “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 rise in the popularity of AI – Artificial Intelligence – the Academy has stated that AI tools “neither help nor harm the chances of a nomination.”
However, the Academy added, “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.”
In regards to the new Best Achievement in Casting Award, after the nominees have been “shortened” to 10 films; members will be “invited to a bake-off presentation” that will include a Q&A with the nominees.
The Academy has also announced a new award for Best Stunt Design but it will be become a part of the official awards until 2028 as a part of Oscar’s 100th anniversary.
The 2026 Academy Awards will be presented on March 15 with Conan O’Brien returning to host the event.