Significant Changes Announced for the 99th Oscars: New Rules and AI Ban

Major Updates for the 99th Oscars

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has introduced several important updates for the upcoming 99th Oscars, impacting categories such as acting, writing, and international film. Notably, actors are now eligible for nominations for multiple films within the same category. Furthermore, non-English-language films can qualify by securing a top award at one of six recognized festivals. In a significant shift, the director's name will now be inscribed on the trophy rather than the country of origin. Additionally, the AMPAS has taken a firm stance against artificial intelligence, prohibiting its use in writing categories and disallowing AI-enhanced performances in acting categories.

Changes in Acting and International Film Categories

Oscar rules changed in acting, international film categories

The revised regulations for the Oscars 2027 allow actors to receive nominations for two different films in the same category, provided both performances garner sufficient votes. For instance, Paul Mescal could have been nominated for his roles in The History of Sound and Hamnet. Previously, actors like Sebastian Stan and Kate Winslet faced exclusion for their second performances in the same year due to the one-film rule. This adjustment aims to prevent category fraud, where actors might submit leading performances in supporting categories to increase their chances of winning. Additionally, performances by late actors, such as Val Kilmer's in As Deep as the Grave, will not qualify unless they are credited in the film's legal billing and demonstrably performed by humans.

International Film Category Enhancements

Significant modifications have also been made to the international film category, which could greatly benefit Indian cinema. Now, multiple films from the same country can qualify for nominations. If a non-English-language film wins a prestigious award at festivals like the Berlin International Film Festival or the Cannes Film Festival, it will automatically be eligible for nomination. This change provides filmmakers, such as Jafar Panahi, who continue to create despite governmental restrictions, with more opportunities.

AMPAS Takes a Stand Against AI

Academy bans AI

The AMPAS has expressed concerns regarding artificial intelligence, stating it may request further details about the extent of human authorship in any submitted film. To qualify in writing categories, screenplays must be entirely human-written. For the new casting category, the number of trophies awarded will increase from two to three. In cinematography, the preliminary voting will now feature a fixed shortlist of 20 films. For makeup and hairstyling, branch members must attend at least one of the final meetings to vote in the preliminary round. The eligibility for Original Song will now depend on its placement in the end credits, requiring a video clip to include the last 15 seconds of the film before the credits roll. Lastly, all Academy members must view the three-minute reels from the Visual Effects Bake-Off to vote in the final round. The 99th Oscars are scheduled to take place in Los Angeles on March 14, 2027.