New rules set by the Academy for Oscars 2026: Members must watch all nominated films before voting
Apr 22, 2025 12:14 PM IST To track compliance, the Academy will monitor viewing activity through its members-only Academy Screening Room The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced a significant rule change for the 98th Oscars: members must now confirm they’ve watched all nominated films in a category to be eligible to vote in the final round. This rule, which mirrors a process already used by BAFTA, aims to encourage more informed and responsible voting across the board. This verification system, already used in select categories like international feature and animated short, will now be implemented across all voting categories. Viewing activity will be tracked through the Academy Screening Room, its exclusive members-only streaming platform. For films seen outside the platform—at festivals, screenings, or private events—members will need to submit a form detailing when and where they watched the film. This verification system, already used in select categories like international feature and animated short, will now be implemented across all voting categories. Additionally, final ballots will now include the names of all …
