Overview

• The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences now requires its 10,000 members to view all nominated films in a category before casting votes for the Oscars.
• The rule, effective immediately for the 2026 awards, aims to address criticism of uninformed voting but raises questions about practical implementation and compliance.
• Members face a significant workload, with up to 70–80 films to watch due to overlapping nominations across 23 categories.
• While the Academy can track streams on its members-only platform, it cannot verify whether films were fully watched or viewed in theaters, relying largely on self-reporting.
• Some members have admitted to skipping films in the past, highlighting potential loopholes in the new system and the challenge of ensuring fair voting practices.