Academy Awards Introduces New Voting Rules for 98th Oscars: Members Must Watch All Nominated Films

A key change is the introduction of a new rule requiring members to view all nominated films before voting in Oscar categories.

While specific details on enforcement remain unclear, this marks a notable departure from past practices. The Academy's approach to verifying that voters have indeed watched all ten nominated films will be closely scrutinized.

This rule change follows recent controversies, including leaked Oscar ballots where some voters anonymously admitted to skipping films like Dune: Part II and The Brutalist.

According to updates from THR, the Academy's e-voting system will now restrict access to ballots in categories where members haven't confirmed viewing all nominees. Compliance will be tracked through the members-only Academy Screening Room streaming app. For films viewed at screenings or festivals, members must submit a form detailing when and where they watched each film. This new system aims to enhance the integrity of the voting process for the prestigious awards.