The Academy Rewrites the Rules of the International Oscar Race
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has approved one of the most significant regulatory revisions in recent years for the Oscar race, introducing changes that will also directly impact the International Feature Film category. The new rules will take effect with the 99th Academy Awards, scheduled for March 14, 2027.
The most significant development for international cinema concerns the expansion of eligibility criteria for the International Feature Film category. Until now, each country could submit only one title through its national selection committee. Under the new rules, however, films that were not officially selected by their respective countries may also qualify, provided they have won the top prize at certain qualifying international film festivals: Cannes, Venice, Berlin, Sundance, Toronto, and Busan. The change represents an important shift in the balance of the international Oscar race. In recent years, there have been several cases of films acclaimed globally but excluded from their country’s official submission process, generating debate within the industry. The new framework aims to broaden access to the competition and further recognize the role of international film festivals as launch platforms for global cinema.
Another symbolically significant change concerns the official recognition of the award itself: the Oscar will now formally be awarded to both the film and its director, while the submitting country will still remain associated with the nomination in cases of national submissions.
The new rules also address the issue of artificial intelligence. For acting categories, the Academy has established that only performances “demonstrably performed by human beings with their consent” will be eligible, while screenplay categories will require scripts to be “human-authored.”
The updated regulations also revise several rules governing awards campaigns and promotional communications directed at Academy members, strengthening restrictions on promotional emails, “For Your Consideration” (FYC) events, and social media activity.
Sources: Variety, Press Oscars
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The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has approved one of the most significant regulatory revisions in recent years for the Oscar race, introducing changes that will also directly impact the International Feature Film category. The new rules will take effect with the 99th Academy Awards, scheduled for March 14, 2027.
The most significant development for international cinema concerns the expansion of eligibility criteria for the International Feature Film category. Until now, each country could submit only one title through its national selection committee. Under the new rules, however, films that were not officially selected by their respective countries may also qualify, provided they have won the top prize at certain qualifying international film festivals: Cannes, Venice, Berlin, Sundance, Toronto, and Busan. The change represents an important shift in the balance of the international Oscar race. In recent years, there have been several cases of films acclaimed globally but excluded from their country’s official submission process, generating debate within the industry. The new framework aims to broaden access to the competition and further recognize the role of international film festivals as launch platforms for global cinema.
Another symbolically significant change concerns the official recognition of the award itself: the Oscar will now formally be awarded to both the film and its director, while the submitting country will still remain associated with the nomination in cases of national submissions.
The new rules also address the issue of artificial intelligence. For acting categories, the Academy has established that only performances “demonstrably performed by human beings with their consent” will be eligible, while screenplay categories will require scripts to be “human-authored.”
The updated regulations also revise several rules governing awards campaigns and promotional communications directed at Academy members, strengthening restrictions on promotional emails, “For Your Consideration” (FYC) events, and social media activity.
Sources: Variety, Press Oscars
Share:
The Vertical Drama Boom Begins to Attract Hollywood Talent
