What is Oscars' new rule regarding voting? The Academy Awards' revised rulebook for 2025 explored

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) announced the revised guidelines and key dates almost a year before the next Oscars.

In a press release on Monday, April 25, the Academy also announced a significant change regarding the voting process. Per the new change, the members will only become eligible to vote in the final round if they have watched “all nominated films in each category.” The nominees' names will also be mentioned on the final ballot. Previously, only the film names were included.

The AMPAS stated in the release,

“In a procedural change, Academy members must now watch all nominated films in each category to be eligible to vote in the final round for the Oscars®. All designated nominees will also be included on the final ballot.”

The press release didn’t reveal how the AMPAS will implement the new change to ascertain the eligibility of the members as voters. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Academy’s members-only screening room streaming application will be used to track the viewing. The outlet also reported that the Academy members must fill out a form to declare where and when they have watched a specific nominated film.

A similar rule is already in place for voters desiring to vote in the specific British Academy Film Awards categories. As mentioned in one of the press releases regarding the previous BAFTA edition,

“It is compulsory for all voters, including those in Chapters and juries, to watch all longlisted and nominated films in in any of the categories they wish to vote in.”

98th Oscars: The AMPAS introduces other key changes regarding AI, Best Picture submissions, International Feature Film category, and more

Almost a year before the next edition of the Academy Awards, the AMPAS introduced other key rule changes besides voting eligibility. There have been new updates around the use of AI, the consideration for Best Picture, nomination in International Feature Film, and other criteria for different categories.

Only those films will be considered for the best picture whose producers have shown proof of “submission for Producers Guild of America” mark certification/awards-only determination. The proof should be submitted within a specific release window, revealed by the AMPAS:

• Films released from January 1, 2025, through June 30, 2025, must show proof before September 10, 2025.
• Films released from July 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025, must show proof before November 13, 2025.

The AMPAS will conduct a preliminary round of voting to shortlist 10 to 20 films for the Cinematography Award. At the same time, all members who opt-in and watch 15 shortlisted films will be eligible to vote in the Animated Short Film category (during the nominations round).

A new rule regarding the use of generative AI has been introduced ahead of the 98th Oscars, which 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.”

The AMPAS has also announced a separate and earlier deadline for submissions in the Music categories. The Original Song submissions should be made before October 15, 2025, while the Original Score submissions “will be due no later than Monday, November 3, 2025,” per the press release.

“Filmmakers with refugee or asylum status” can also submit in the International Feature Film category at the 98th Oscars. Previously, residents or citizens of a particular nation could submit.

Trending

The 98th Oscars are scheduled to air on ABC on Sunday, March 15, 2026.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback