Oscar Statitals | Photo Credit: AP
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have unveiled the new rules for the 98th Academy Awards, including a major change in polling processes: members will now have to watch all the enrolled films in a category to vote for their winner. The purpose of the change is to reduce unworthy or “coatale” voting and ensure more thoughtful options than members of the academy.
Now voting will be banned through the organization’s official stage academy screening room. Members will only use ballot papers for categories where they have verified that they have seen each enrolled person. To look out of the platform – such as festivals or private screenings – members will have to present a form documentation, where the film was seen. This policy, which is limited to categories like earlier international features and short films, now applies to the entire board.
Also read:Oscar 2025: Two Oscar voters did not choose Ralph Fynene for a non -sexist win for ‘Conclave’
Another landmark update is in addition to a new competitive category: achievement in casting. For the first time, casting directors will be officially recognized for the film’s dress. Casting directors branch will shortlists to ten films, which then undergoes the “Bake-off” screening and Q&A process. Five nominees will be selected, and the entire academy will vote on the winner.
The additional rules declared include the first deadline for the original song and score categories, comprehensive eligibility for international films from directors with refugees or asylum, and formal guidelines for the use of generic AI in filmmaking. The academy stressed that the AI ​​equipment will neither help nor harm a film opportunities “, with focus on human creative writer.
The best cinematography category will now also include a shortlist phase, which will already include a dozen artisan categories using this format.
Oscars are scheduled for March 15, 2026, with enrollment starting from January 12. The final ballot will be closed on 5 March.
Published – 22 April, 2025 11:14 AM IST
