Academy Drops New Oscar Rules — AI Crackdown and Acting Category Changes

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is making big changes to the Oscars, and some of the new rules could seriously shift how awards are decided in 2027.

The update was announced Friday and reported by Gold Derby, with the Academy saying the goal is to keep up with how movies are made today. In a statement, the group said, “These changes are part of our mission to leverage the immense resource that is our membership to shape the future of the organization.” It also added, “We are dedicated to making sure we reflect the current state of filmmaking.”

One of the biggest moves is a clear stance against artificial intelligence. The Academy made it clear that human work must stay at the center of the Oscars. Performances must come from real actors, and scripts must be written by people, not AI. The group also said it can now look deeper into how AI tools are used in films.

The Academy stated, “What will never change is our commitment to honoring human authorship and artistry.”

Another major change affects actors directly. For years, performers could only be nominated once per category. That rule is now gone. Under the new system, an actor can land multiple nominations in the same category if their performances rank high enough. That means someone like Anne Hathaway could compete against herself in the same race if she has several strong roles in one year.

There are also updates to the international film category. Movies can still be submitted by their home countries, but now they also have another path. Films that win top awards at major festivals like Cannes Film Festival or Sundance Film Festival can qualify as well. Another change is how winners are recognized. Instead of awarding the country, the Oscar will now go to the film itself, with the director accepting the prize.

These updates come as the Academy continues to adjust after changes in the film industry, especially with new technology and global releases. The next Oscar nominations are set to be announced in January, with the ceremony scheduled for March.

These changes show the Academy is trying to stay relevant while also protecting traditional filmmaking. The AI rules are especially strict, and the new acting rule could lead to some unusual nominations. What do you think about these updates? Do you like the direction the Oscars are going? Share your thoughts in the comments.