The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced new rules that will impact eligibility for Oscar Awards. One significant change is that actors created using artificial intelligence (AI) will not qualify for acting awards. This means performances must be authentically human.
Under these new guidelines, only roles performed by actual humans will be recognized. This change is likely to sideline AI-generated actors like Tilly Norwood, who made her debut last year and stirred controversy among industry professionals.
The decision comes in light of recent trends in the film industry, especially as AI technology evolves. For instance, a digital version of Val Kilmer was recently featured in a film, created using archival footage with his family’s permission. Such cases raise important questions about the future of acting and the use of AI in film.
The new rules also state that screenplays must be entirely human-written to be eligible for an Oscar. While the Academy is open to the use of AI tools, they stress that genuine human creativity is essential.
This change addresses concerns raised during the 2023 Hollywood labor strikes, where many actors voiced worries about AI’s growing role in the creative process. Furthermore, the Academy may request proof from filmmakers to ensure that submissions are truly human-made.
In a nod to broader inclusivity, the rules for the international feature category have changed. Films can now qualify not just through national submissions but also by winning prestigious awards at major film festivals like Cannes or Berlin. This shift allows significant works from authoritarian regimes a better chance to be recognized.
Lastly, there’s a new policy allowing actors to receive multiple nominations in the same acting category for different roles. This opens opportunities for performers, aligning the acting categories more closely with other Oscar categories where multiple nominations were previously allowed.
These changes will take effect at the 99th Academy Awards in March 2027. As the film industry continues to transform, it’s clear the Academy is striving to keep human creativity at the forefront.
For more information on this topic, you can refer to the Academy’s official statement.
