By Ciara Mina
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has revealed important dates for the 2025 Oscars awards season.
They also revealed additional Oscar-related rule changes, such as the voting procedure for films, the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI), representation of countries of refugee film-makers, and the new casting category.
Watching all nominated films now required before casting a vote
Academy members can no longer vote in the Oscars final round unless they have seen every film nominated in each category.
In the past, the entire process was based on an honour system, and voters were always requested not to cast their ballots if they hadn’t seen every nominee.
Under the new rule, the Academy will use the Academy Screening Room, a members-only streaming platform, to monitor viewership.
If a member watches a movie outside of the platform, such as at a festival, theatre showing, private event, or Guild or Academy screening, they must fill out an online form with the date and location of their viewing.
Only members who have confirmed they have seen every film nominated in a certain category will be able to access ballots during the final voting phase, starting with the 98th Academy Awards.
All 24 competitive Oscar categories are subject to this rule, including the acting and best picture contests, costume design and the recently added casting prize.
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Use of AI
Meanwhile, the Academy said that using digital tools like generative AI will “neither help nor harm the chances of achieving a nomination,” adding that they will “judge the achievement, taking into account the degree to which a human was at the heart of the creative authorship.”
This comes after recent controversies involving the 2024 Best Picture candidates, such as “The Brutalist” and “Emilia Perez,” which earlier acknowledged using generative AI to change performances during production.
Other rules
Additionally, film-makers with refugee or asylum status will be permitted to represent a nation other than their own country, as long as the submitting country can attest that creative control remained with its inhabitants, residents, or those with refugee/asylum status.
Furthermore, a nomination procedure for the recently established award for accomplishment in casting was established as part of its continuous expansion of Oscar categories.
Members of the casting branch will attend a “bake-off” presentation that includes question and answer sessions with nominees after a shortlist selection – a process comparable to those used in other technical categories.
Additionally, the Academy has announced that a stunt design category will be established and will make its debut at the 2028 Oscars.
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