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Last Updated: April 22, 2025, 00:14 IST
Oscar Voting Process Revamped, New Rules Introduced for 2026 Ceremony
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has unveiled significant changes to the voting rules and eligibility criteria for the upcoming 98th Academy Awards, which are set to be broadcast live on ABC on March 15, 2026. A noteworthy requirement is that Academy members must now view all nominated films in each category to qualify to vote in the final Oscar round.
This initiative aims to promote accountability and informed decision-making among voters, ensuring that each award is assessed with comprehensive knowledge of the films in contention. Furthermore, nominees will now be clearly listed on the final ballot, adding transparency to the process.
In addition to the voting rule changes, a new award category has been established: the Academy Award for Achievement in Casting. This award will feature a preliminary round that selects 10 finalist films, followed by a special “bake-off” session for members of the Casting Directors Branch. This session will include a Q&A with nominees before final voting takes place.
As the film industry increasingly embraces technology, the Academy has articulated its stance on Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in filmmaking. Although the use of AI tools is allowed, their presence will not affect a film’s eligibility. The focus remains on the critical role of human creativity and involvement in the filmmaking process, with each Academy branch tasked with assessing the degree of human contribution when considering nominations and awards.
For films aspiring for Best Picture, the Academy has established specific deadlines for PGA certification: September 10, 2025, for films released between January 1 and June 30, and November 13, 2025, for those released after June.
Expanding voting options, the Academy will allow any member who opts in to vote in the nominations round for the Animated Short Film category, provided they have viewed all 15 shortlisted entries. Additionally, the Cinematography category will now feature a preliminary shortlist of 10 to 20 films, mirroring the approach used in major technical categories.
In a progressive step, the eligibility rules for the International Feature Film category have been revised to include filmmakers who have refugee or asylum status. Countries submitting films in this category must verify that the creative control of the project resides with citizens, residents, or individuals who hold refugee or asylum status in the submitting nation.
The changes also impact the music categories, with earlier deadlines introduced: October 15, 2025, for Original Song submissions and November 3, 2025, for Original Score entries.
As the film industry gears up for the next Oscars, these revisions highlight the Academy’s commitment to fairness, inclusivity, and adaptation in an ever-evolving cinematic landscape.
Location: Los Angeles, United States of America (USA)
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