People have been left outraged after the Academy introduced a new rule mandating its members must watch every movie up for nomination before they can vote.
You would think watching a movie before voting on its worthiness for recognition would be a given - but no, and film fans are only just learning this.
Some have even theorized that this could be the reason behind some shocking Oscar snubs over the years, including, most recently, Demi Moore losing out on the Best Actress award for The Substance.
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On Monday (April 21), the prestigious Academy confirmed a number of changes to its awards procedure.
These include the introduction of a new casting award, AI regulations and a change in the submission process for refugee filmmakers.
There are more than 10,500 members of the Academy, 'the most accomplished film industry artists and leaders', its website states.
Its active members are eligible to vote across all 23 - soon to be 24 - categories, including the coveted Best Picture award.
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Previously, members were 'asked to watch as many films as possible', the Academy explained, 'and only vote for the films that they have actually seen'.
They didn't have to vote in every category and if they didn't feel qualified to vote in certain areas, they could abstain.
Going forward, however, 'Academy members must now watch all nominated films in each category to be eligible to vote in the final round for the Oscars'.
An anonymous director told Entertainment Weekly back in February that they hadn't seen three of the movies up for Best Picture earlier this year - and they straight-up refused to watch Dune 2.
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"I'm bummed because I haven't seen The Substance or I'm Still Here yet," they began. "The first Dune, I couldn't get through; I'm not rushing for another three hours of Dune."
They added that they were considering abstaining from some categories.
News of the Academy's movie-watching rule made its way to social media, and prompted a huge response from Twitter users.
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"They weren't doing that before!!??" one shocked user posted, as a second asked: "Were they just voting on vibes??"
A third typed: "This should have been the rule from the start. How do you vote on winners without even watching all the films?"
Meanwhile, a fourth agreed: "It’s wild that this even needs to be said. How are you making career-defining decisions without doing the *bare minimum* of watching all the nominees?"
Another wrote: "I understand how movies get snubbed now..."
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However, one person was quick to point out: "Why do you think the producers campaign to get their film watched? Like did you think every member was watching 50+ films."
Turns out, the Academy is taking some pretty serious measured to ensure the rule is followed.
Variety reported that members' viewing activity will be monitor through the Academy's members-only streaming platform.
And if movies are viewed outside of this - at festivals, for example - then members must submit 'a form indicating when and where they watched the film'.
This verification process now applies to all movie categories, after previously only applying to international and animated features.
The Academy also gave its verdict on 'generative' AI, ruling that the use of the tools 'neither help nor harm the chances of achieving a nomination'.
Instead, 'the degree to which a human was at the heart of the creative authorship' will be judged when choosing which movie to award.
Topics: Oscars, Academy Awards, Hollywood
Ellie Kemp