Oscar Voters Required to View Nominated Films for Voting
In a significant shift for Hollywood’s most prestigious awards ceremony, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced a new requirement for Oscar voters. Starting with the upcoming awards season, Academy members must now watch all nominated films in categories they wish to vote in. This change aims to ensure fairness and integrity in the voting process while addressing longtime criticisms of the system.
The New Voting Requirement Explained
The Academy’s Board of Governors approved this landmark policy change last week after years of debate. Under the new rules, voters must verify they’ve watched all nominated films in a specific category before casting their ballots. This verification process will be implemented through the Academy’s digital voting platform.
Previously, Academy members could vote in most categories regardless of whether they had seen all nominees. This honor system approach had long been criticized as potentially favoring films with bigger marketing budgets or more famous names attached.
“This change reflects our commitment to ensuring that the Oscar represents a true evaluation of excellence in filmmaking,” said Academy CEO Bill Kramer in a statement. “We believe this will strengthen the integrity of our awards and give every nominated film an equal chance at recognition.”
How the Verification Process Will Work
The Academy has developed a secure digital tracking system to monitor film viewings. Members will need to log their viewings through the Academy Screening Room platform or verify attendance at official Academy screenings. Alternatively, they can confirm theatrical viewings through a specialized mobile check-in system.
For voters who cannot attend screenings or access the digital platform, the Academy will provide DVD screeners as a last resort. However, they strongly encourage digital viewing through their platform.
The verification system includes:
- Digital check-ins for online screenings through the Academy portal
- QR code scans at in-person Academy screenings
- Mobile verification for theatrical viewings
- Special accommodations for international members in regions with limited access
Exceptions and Special Considerations
While the requirement applies to most categories, some exceptions exist. For highly specialized technical categories like Visual Effects and Sound, only members of those branches must watch all nominees. The general membership can still vote in these categories without the viewing requirement.
Additionally, reasonable accommodations will be made for members with disabilities. The Academy has committed to ensuring that all screening options are accessible, with features such as closed captioning and audio descriptions available.
International Film Category Changes
The International Feature Film category will see additional changes. Due to the high number of submissions, the initial shortlisting process will still rely on specialized committees. However, for the final voting, all Academy members wishing to vote must verify they’ve watched all five nominated films.
“We recognize the challenge of watching films in languages other than English,” said DeVon Franklin, chair of the International Feature Film Committee. “But these films deserve the same level of consideration as any other Oscar nominee.”
Industry Reaction to the Changes
Reaction within the industry has been largely positive, though some concerns have emerged about the practicality of watching all nominees, especially for busy industry professionals.
Veteran filmmaker Martin Scorsese praised the decision, calling it “a step toward honoring the craft properly.” He added, “If you’re going to vote, you should see what you’re voting on. That’s just respect for the art form.”
Some Academy members have expressed concerns about the time commitment required. With some categories featuring five or more nominees, the viewing requirement could mean watching dozens of films during the condensed voting period.
“I support the principle completely, but the logistics may be challenging,” said one Academy member who requested anonymity. “Between my own projects and family commitments, finding time to watch everything could be difficult.”
Benefits for Independent and International Films
Smaller independent films and international productions stand to benefit significantly from this change. Historically, these films often struggled to gain attention among voters compared to major studio releases with substantial marketing campaigns.
The requirement ensures that every nominated film, regardless of budget or promotional resources, will receive equal viewing consideration from voters. This could lead to more diverse winners and nominees in future ceremonies.
“This is a win for cinema from all corners of the world,” said Bong Joon-ho, whose film “Parasite” made history as the first non-English language film to win Best Picture. “When people actually watch the films, they can judge based on quality rather than preconceptions.”
The History of Oscar Voting Controversies
The Academy’s voting practices have faced scrutiny for decades. Various controversies have emerged over the years regarding whether voters actually watched all nominees before casting ballots.
In 2015, an anonymous Oscar voter admitted to Vulture that they hadn’t watched “12 Years a Slave” because they thought it would be “upsetting.” The film went on to win Best Picture. This confession sparked outrage and renewed calls for voting reform.
Other controversies have included:
- Voters admitting to voting for films based solely on talent involved rather than the actual film
- Reports of members allowing family members or assistants to cast votes
- Voting based on personal relationships with nominees rather than artistic merit
- Studio campaigns influencing voting decisions more than the actual films
These issues have gradually pushed the Academy toward more accountability. The new requirement represents the most significant step yet in addressing these longstanding concerns.
Implementation Timeline and Challenges
The new requirement will be phased in over the next two awards seasons. For the upcoming 97th Academy Awards, the verification system will be in place but operate on an honor system basis. Full enforcement with technical verification will begin with the 98th ceremony.
The Academy faces several challenges in implementing this system:
Technical Infrastructure
Creating a reliable, secure system to verify film viewings presents technical challenges. The Academy has partnered with several technology companies to develop a platform that balances security with user-friendliness.
The system must prevent fraud while remaining accessible to the Academy’s diverse membership, which includes many older members who may be less technically savvy.
Global Access
With Academy membership spanning over 80 countries, ensuring equitable access to all nominated films presents logistical hurdles. International members may face barriers including time zone differences for screenings, regional distribution limitations, and internet connectivity issues.
To address this, the Academy is expanding its international screening program and improving its digital platform’s functionality in regions with limited bandwidth.
Time Constraints
The compressed nature of awards season creates time pressure for voters. Between nominations announcement and final voting deadline, members typically have about four weeks to watch all nominees in categories they wish to vote in.
For busy industry professionals, this timeline may prove challenging, especially for those who serve on multiple film productions simultaneously or live in regions with limited screening options.
Broader Impact on Awards Season
This change could ripple throughout awards season, potentially influencing how other organizations conduct their voting. Critics groups, guild awards, and other film honors may follow the Academy’s lead in implementing similar verification requirements.
Studios and distributors will also need to adjust their campaign strategies. Rather than focusing heavily on a few high-profile screenings, they may need to ensure broader availability of their films through various platforms.
“The entire ecosystem of awards campaigning might shift,” noted awards strategist Lisa Taback. “The focus will move from ‘who can throw the best party’ to ‘how can we make sure voters actually see our film?'”
Additionally, the change may benefit streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon, which can provide easier access to nominated films through their services. However, the Academy continues to emphasize the importance of theatrical viewing when possible.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Oscar Voting
This requirement represents part of the Academy’s broader efforts to modernize and address criticisms about fairness and representation. Following the #OscarsSoWhite controversy and subsequent inclusion initiatives, this change further demonstrates the organization’s commitment to equitable consideration of all nominees.
The Academy views this as an evolution rather than a revolution in their voting practices. Future adjustments may include expanding the viewing verification to the shortlisting phase for certain categories or developing enhanced screening opportunities in underserved regions.
“We see this as part of our ongoing commitment to excellence and fairness,” said Academy President Janet Yang. “The Oscars should represent the very best in film, and that can only happen when voters make fully informed choices.”
Conclusion: A More Equitable Oscar Race
The requirement for Oscar voters to watch all nominated films marks a significant step toward addressing longstanding criticisms of the Academy Awards voting process. While implementation challenges exist, the change promises a more equitable consideration of all nominees regardless of budget, star power, or marketing muscle.
For film lovers, this change should inspire confidence that Oscar winners truly represent excellence as judged by informed industry professionals. For filmmakers, particularly those working outside major studios, it offers hope that their work will receive the consideration it deserves.
As one Academy member put it: “This isn’t about making voting harder—it’s about making it more meaningful. The Oscar should be about celebrating the best films, and you can’t do that if you haven’t seen them.”
What do you think about these changes to Oscar voting? Will they lead to more deserving winners? Share your thoughts in the comments below!