TLDR: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced significant updates to its Oscar rules for the upcoming 98th Academy Awards, including a mandate for voters to watch all nominated films, a clarified stance on artificial intelligence’s role in filmmaking, and expanded eligibility for refugee and asylum-seeking filmmakers in the International Feature Film category. These changes aim to enhance fairness, inclusivity, and informed decision-making within the prestigious awards.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has introduced a series of transformative rule changes for the 98th Academy Awards, set to culminate in the ceremony on March 15, 2026. These comprehensive updates address critical areas including voter participation, the burgeoning role of artificial intelligence in filmmaking, and pathways for refugee and asylum-seeking filmmakers, alongside the formalization of a new award category for casting.
One of the most significant procedural shifts impacts the voting process. For the first time, Academy members will be required to view all nominated films within any category for which they intend to cast a final-round vote. This marks a departure from previous guidelines, which merely encouraged members to watch nominees. The move is designed to foster a more informed and equitable voting landscape, addressing long-standing concerns that some members voted without having seen all contenders, potentially influencing outcomes unfairly. Preliminary voting is scheduled for December 8-12, 2025, with shortlists announced on December 16, 2025. Nominations voting will occur from January 12-16, 2026, leading to the nominations announcement on January 22, 2026. The final voting window will run from February 26 to March 6, 2026.
In response to the growing integration of generative artificial intelligence in film production, the Academy has issued a clear directive: the use of AI tools will ‘neither help nor harm the chances of a nomination.’ The core principle for evaluation will remain the ‘degree of human creative authorship’ at the heart of the cinematic achievement. This stance aims to provide clarity to filmmakers navigating the evolving technological landscape, emphasizing that human ingenuity and artistic vision will continue to be paramount in the judging process.
Furthering its commitment to inclusivity, the Academy has expanded eligibility for the Best International Feature Film category. Filmmakers holding refugee or asylum status will now be permitted to represent a country other than their homeland. This groundbreaking change stipulates that the submitting country must confirm that ‘creative control of the film was largely in the hands of citizens, residents, or individuals with refugee or asylum status in the submitting country.’ This rule aims to remove barriers for dissident filmmakers who might otherwise be unable to have their work considered due to their displacement or political circumstances, building on precedents like Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof’s film being submitted by Germany after he fled his country.
Additionally, the 98th Oscars will see the debut of a new award for ‘Achievement in Casting.’ This inaugural honor will involve a preliminary voting round to establish a shortlist of 10 films. Members of the Casting Directors Branch will then participate in a ‘bake-off’ presentation, which includes a Q&A session with the nominees, prior to the final voting. This new category acknowledges the vital role casting directors play in bringing cinematic visions to life.
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These sweeping reforms underscore the Academy’s ongoing efforts to adapt to industry changes, promote fairness, and ensure the Oscars remain a relevant and respected benchmark for cinematic excellence globally.
