Academy accepts AI use in the movies candidates for the Oscars
The Academy of Film Arts and Sciences has announced the implementation of a set of new rules for next year’s ceremony – which will take place on March 15, 2026. All who vote for Oscars will have to see all the movies of the categories they are voting for. So far, they were just encouraged to see the appointed and to vote in the categories in which they felt qualified.
However, it is not known how this rule will be implemented to ensure that all voters effectively see all films appointed in their categories.
The academy also presented a number of new regulations on issues such as Artificial Intelligence (IA), refugee filmmakers and the recently released casting category.
Use of AI does not impair appointment
Regarding AI use affects eligibility, the academy wrote: « Regarding general artificial intelligence and other digital tools used in film production, tools do not help or harm the possibilities of obtaining a nomination. » The degree of use of AI in film production has been, as in other industries, a very debated theme. In this year’s Oscars Race, Brady Corbet’s brutalist was the subject of some controversy after his editor said he had used I was going to improve the Hungarian dialogue of stars Adrien Brody (which eventually won the best actor award) and Felicity Jones (which was named for best secondary actress). « The academy and each of its branches will evaluate the realization, taking into account the degree in which a human being was at the center of the creative authorship in choosing the film to reward, » said the institution that attributes the Oscars.
In the category of best international film, the gym will now allow filmmakers with refugee or asylum status to be represented by a country other than their own. The change in the rules maintains the general system of presentation of international nominees through the countries, but changes the eligibility.
The regulation comes to say the following: « The country that presents the candidacy must confirm that the creative control of the film was largely in the hands of citizens, residents or individuals with refugee or asylum status in the country that presents the candidacy. »
Critics have long asked for changes in the appointment process for better international film, because it leaves the process of enrollment in the hands of governments and not the gym. This has left dissident filmmakers who work under authoritarian or undemocratic regimes with limited hypotheses to reach the Oscars. Last year, for example, Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof fled Iran to be able to release his movie The Seed of the Sacred Fig. Germany, where Rasoulof settled, introduced him to the Oscars and was appointed.
The change of rules does not change the prize prospects for filmmakers who have not fled their home countries, nor does it change anything to the films rejected by the selection committees of their countries. Panahi’s last movie will be presented in competition at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, where the Sacred Fig Seed premiered last year.
The Academy of Film has also established some rules for the new Oscar of Realization. After a preliminary voting round to determine a list of 10 films, members of the casting section will be invited to a ‘bake-off’ presentation of selected movies, including a question and answers session with the nominees. Oscar regulations review comes less than a month after it has been announced that a new stunt design category will be introduced for the 2028 ceremony. The 98th edition of the Academy Awards will take place on March 15, 2026.
