Academy Awards Make Big Changes: AI Rules, Multiple Nominations, and More!

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is shaking things up with a series of significant rule changes as we gear up for the 99th Academy Awards in 2027. Just recently, the Academy announced these updates, reflecting how technology and industry views are evolving.

One of the biggest highlights is a new stance on artificial intelligence. From now on, roles in films must be “performed by humans with their consent” to qualify for awards. This shift aims to tackle growing concerns about AI-generated actors potentially invading the movie scene. Moreover, screenplays must also be “human-authored” to be eligible, ensuring that creativity remains in human hands.

Talk about AI actors has been buzzing in Hollywood lately, with Tilly Norwood being one of the most talked-about examples. Recently, audiences were disheartened to learn that an AI rendition of Val Kilmer would feature in the upcoming film “As Deep as the Grave” after his unfortunate passing last year. Thanks to these new guidelines, such instances won’t be vying for that golden Oscar statue anymore.

The Academy has also set forth a fresh guideline regarding multiple nominations: actors can now be nominated for more than one performance in the same category! This means if an actor manages to snag a top-five vote for multiple performances, they might find themselves competing against their own roles. A perfect example is Kate Winslet, who could have had two nominations back in 2009 if this rule had been in place!

Additionally, some changes have been made for international films. In the International Feature Film category, nominees will now be recognized as the film itself rather than by their country of origin. The Casting category will also see a rise in the maximum statuette awards from two to three. For those curious about original songs, there’s more clarity regarding eligibility, especially for tunes played during the end credits—they must include the last 15 seconds of the film before the credits roll.

Mark your calendars for this exciting event, as the 99th Academy Awards are set for March 14, 2027. It’ll also introduce a brand-new category for stunt design! For now, we’ll keep an eye on all the nominations as we lead up to this spectacular night in cinema.