In a major change for the Oscar voting protocol, the Academy of Arts and Cinema Sciences has announced that members should now confirm that they have watched all the nominated films in a category before being authorized to vote in this race.
The initiative, aimed at strengthening the integrity and credibility of the reward process, combines digital monitoring via the Academy’s screening room with views declared by members – based on an already familiar structure for the voters of the Academy.
How does it work
From the 97th Academy Awards, the ballots during the final voting phase will only be released for the members who checked that they watched all the nominated films in a given category. This requirement applies in the 24 categories of competitive Oscars, from the best film and actor races to the design of costumes and at the newly introduced price for the casting.
The academy will follow the viewer via its exclusive streaming platform reserved for members, the Academy’s projection room. Any film watched entirely on ASR is automatically recorded and applied to the eligibility of the voter.
For films targeted outside the platform – during a projection of guild or an academy, a festival, a theatrical program or a private event – the members must submit a single online form indicating when and where they saw the film. These forms operate on an honorary system, a practice that the Academy has already used for years in specialized categories such as international functionality, animated function, documentary and the three short films.
In other words, this process is not new. He simply expands to include the rest of the Oscar voting bulletin.
Why is it going
The objective seems clear: to reduce what is called “Coattail vote”, where voters support a candidate based on reputation, buzz or familiarity – often without having seen all competing films. This can lead to neglected performance and craft achievements that simply did not have enough exhibition.
By demanding a complete vision of all the suitors in a category, the Academy hopes to promote a more informed and equitable vote, in particular for small films that may not have massive marketing budgets.
And for those who worry about the ASR who follow their visualization habits: welcome to the Internet. All streaming platforms follow your watch story. Have you heard of the algorithm?
The Academy has not received complaints on this subject of members so far. In fact, behind the scenes, the comments were extremely positive.
This is something that members have been asking for years. Those who are most committed to the process want to feel that the Oscars reflect work and real efforts – not just buzz.
What does this mean for voters?
This rule only affects the final vote, not the appointment phase. Using last season as an example: if a member looked at only the 10 nominees for the best image – “anora”, “the brutalistist”, “has completely unnecessary”, “conclave”, “dune: part two”, “emilia pérez”, “I’m still here”, “nickel boys”, “the substation” and “wicked” – they would already vote in the categories: Best Picture, Director, Actress.
Add some additional titles – such as “The Apprentice”, “A Real Pain” and “Sing Sing” – and eligibility extends to the four actor categories and the suitable scenario. Another, like “nosferatu”, unlocks the design of production.
It is not a question of seeing all the films, just all the nominees in the categories on which you choose to vote.
The process also strengthens the prestige and responsibility which is accompanied by an Oscar voter. Let’s be honest – the only people complaining are those who do not watch the films.
Does this come into effect immediately?
Yes. This is the current rule of this next season of awards.
But I don’t have time to watch every movie. What’s going on now?
Although a handful can grow in private, the Academy’s leadership maintains that the rule reflects a broader cultural change within the organization – a towards the responsibility, the equity and the honor of excellence in a truly informed way.
And with the spinners, virtual digital questions and forms and digital forms, there is really no excuse to leave everything until the last minute.
At the heart of politics is a simple belief: if you have not seen the films, you should not vote them.
In fact, we could argue that all reward groups should adopt similar requirements for their members, in order to level the rules of the game.
The Oscars should take place on March 15.
