In a groundbreaking move, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has unveiled a new rule mandating that members confirm their viewing of all nominated films in any given category before casting their ballots. This initiative aims to enhance the credibility and integrity of the awards process by ensuring informed decisions.

Empowering Fairness and Transparency in Voting

The Academy's decision marks a pivotal moment in cinematic history, promoting accountability and recognition for deserving works.

A New Era in Oscar Voting

Starting with the 97th Academy Awards, final voting will require members to verify they have watched all contenders in each category. This applies universally across all competitive categories, including best picture, acting, costume design, and the newly introduced casting award. The Academy Screening Room (ASR), an exclusive streaming platform, automatically records viewings, ensuring compliance.The system operates seamlessly; films viewed through ASR are tracked digitally. For those seen outside the platform—such as at screenings or festivals—members must submit a form detailing their experience. This honor-based approach mirrors practices already established in specialty categories like international feature and animated feature.This expansion ensures consistency and fairness, addressing concerns about uninformed voting based on reputation rather than actual film evaluation. By mandating comprehensive viewing, the Academy hopes to elevate recognition for lesser-known films that may lack extensive marketing budgets.

Promoting Informed Decisions

The shift aims to eliminate "coattail voting," where selections are made without full engagement with all nominees. This phenomenon can overshadow remarkable performances or artisanal achievements due to insufficient exposure. Encouraging thorough viewing fosters a more equitable assessment process.Critics might question privacy implications, but digital tracking is standard across streaming platforms. Feedback from Academy members has been largely positive, reflecting a desire for the Oscars to represent genuine effort and merit over mere hype. Engaged participants appreciate the emphasis on quality and diligence in voting.

Practical Implications for Members

This regulation impacts only the final voting phase, not nominations. As an example, if a member views only the ten best picture nominees, they qualify to vote in several categories such as best picture, director, actress, supporting actress, and film editing. Adding a few more titles extends eligibility further, encompassing additional categories like adapted screenplay and production design.The policy reinforces the prestige associated with being an Oscar voter, underscoring the responsibility inherent in the role. Complaints typically arise from individuals who neglect thorough viewing, undermining the essence of informed participation.

Immediate Implementation and Cultural Shift

Effective immediately, this rule governs the upcoming awards season. It reflects a broader cultural transformation within the Academy, emphasizing accountability and fairness. With accessible resources like screeners and virtual Q&As, procrastination becomes less excusable.At its heart, the policy advocates a straightforward principle: unwatched films should not influence votes. This approach encourages other awards bodies to adopt similar measures, fostering a level playing field across the industry. The Oscars are scheduled for March 15, promising a transparent and fair celebration of cinematic excellence.