The Academy of motion picture Arts and Sciences has announced a significant change in its voting process, requiring Oscar members to confirm they have watched all nominated films in a category before being allowed to vote in that race. This new rule aims to strengthen the integrity and credibility of the awards process.
How It Works
• Digital tracking: The Academy Screening Room (ASR) will be used to track viewership of nominated films. Any film watched in full on ASR is automatically recorded and applied toward the voter’s eligibility. • Member-reported viewings: For films viewed outside the ASR, members must submit a simple online form stating when and where they saw the film. These forms operate on an honor system. This process isn’t new. The Academy has already used a similar approach in specialty categories such as international feature, animated feature, documentary, and the three short film races. The change now expands to include the rest of the Oscar ballot.
Why It’s Happening
• Reduce “coattail voting”: The goal is to prevent voters from supporting nominees based on reputation, buzz, or familiarity without having seen all the competing films. This can result in overlooked performances and artisan achievements that didn’t get enough exposure. • Promote informed, equitable voting: By requiring a full viewing of all contenders, the Academy hopes to promote more informed and equitable voting, especially for smaller films that may not have massive marketing budgets. The Academy has not received complaints about this from members so far, and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Members have been requesting this change for years.
What Does It Mean for Voters?
• The rule affects only final voting, not the nomination phase. • Using last season’s example, a member who watched only the 10 best picture nominees could be eligible to vote in five categories. • A few more titles added to the list would unlock eligibility to vote in more categories. It’s not about seeing every movie, just every nominee in the categories you choose to vote on. The process also reinforces the prestige and responsibility that comes with being an Oscar voter.
Implementation and Next Steps
• The rule takes effect immediately. • Academy leadership emphasizes that there’s no excuse to leave everything until the last minute, with screeners, virtual Q&As, and digital forms readily available. At the core of the policy is a simple belief: If you haven’t seen the films, you shouldn’t be voting on them.
What’s Next?
• The Oscars are set to take place on March 15. • The Academy’s move could inspire other awards groups to adopt similar requirements for their members, aiming to level the playing field. • By promoting informed and equitable voting, the Oscars aim to honor excellence in a truly informed way.
Benefits and Potential Impact
• Reduced “coattail voting” and increased accountability. • More informed and equitable voting, especially for smaller films. • Reinforcement of the prestige and responsibility that comes with being an Oscar voter. The Academy’s new policy aims to address concerns about the voting process and promote a more informed and equitable approach to awarding the Oscars.
Challenges and Concerns
• Some members may grumble privately about the new rule. • The honor system for member-reported viewings may raise some concerns.
Conclusion
The Academy’s new policy reflects a broader cultural shift toward accountability, fairness, and honoring excellence in a truly informed way. The rule’s implementation marks a significant step forward in promoting informed and equitable voting, and its potential impact could be felt across the awards landscape. Definitions:
•
: Voting for a nominee based on reputation, buzz, or familiarity without having seen all the competing films. •
: Voting based on a thorough and accurate understanding of the nominees and their work. •
: Voting that is fair and unbiased, taking into account the diversity and range of nominees.
“The Oscars are set to take place on March 15.” – Academy of Motion picture arts and Sciences
Key Takeaways:
• The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has introduced a new rule requiring Oscar members to confirm they have watched all nominated films in a category before being allowed to vote in that race. • The rule aims to strengthen the integrity and credibility of the awards process by promoting informed and equitable voting. • The change takes effect immediately and affects only final voting, not the nomination phase.