The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences just dropped a big surprise. They changed their voting procedures just in time for this year’s Oscars. Starting this year, all voting members will be required to view every nominated film in competitive categories before casting their votes. This change is an attempt to make sure voters have a full picture of the films they’re judging, including during the award’s most high-profile section.
This is notable because, in the past, the Academy never required all voters from each of the branches to watch each nominated film. Previously, some viewing requirements only pertained to certain categories, such as the Documentary and Short Film categories. This new proposed rule broadens those requirements to all categories. It reflects a commitment to uphold the integrity of the awards by ensuring that members engage with all nominated works.
For their own voting members, the Academy Screening Room is a key internal service that’s open only to them. It should keep playing a central role in the new process. Members can watch films exclusively through this new platform, where their viewing activity is now being tracked. Academy members are required to fill out a “seen elsewhere” form if they view films anywhere other than the Academy Screening Room. We believe this requirement should be part of the new, much-improved guidelines implemented prior to finals voting.
We have moved, and the Academy has gone through a number of exciting changes! They’re adding a new Achievement in Casting category, starting in 2028. This decision moves in the right direction with the Academy’s mission to celebrate the many angles of filmmaking. The soon-to-be 100th Oscars ceremony will make the Achievement in Stunt Design a competitive category for the first time as well.
The 2026 ceremony is currently planned for March 15, 2026, beginning at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on ABC. Conan O’Brien will be back to host the 98th telecast, and it’s shaping up to be a monumental event that no viewer or nominee should miss. The previous year saw Anora take home the Best Picture award, highlighting the ongoing evolution and recognition of cinematic excellence.
Academy representatives emphasized the importance of the new guidelines, stating, “For the specialty categories, we will still require viewing in prelims and noms as usual. For this year, we will now require viewing in finals voting for all categories and all voting members.” This highlights the Academy’s commitment to improving voter accountability and engagement.
The effect of these rules is clear as the rules respond to concerns raised in the past about increases in voter turnout. One voting member hadn’t quite finished watching the first Dune movie. That leaves us wondering just how effective the current voting requirements are. The new requirements will go a long way toward making sure that each member is fully informed about each nominee.
Additionally, when members encounter a film they have not viewed on their ballot, it will remain visible but greyed out, indicating that it may affect their voting eligibility. According to an Academy representative, “If you haven’t viewed a title, it will still appear on your ballot, but it will be greyed out.” This new accountability system is designed to improve the transparency, integrity and credibility of New York’s voting process.
With momentous new changes and opportunities on the horizon, Academy members need to be among the first responders. They must adjust to the greater expectations for their engagement with nominated films. Each discipline will evaluate the accomplishments according to originality of human imagination at the center of each film entry.
