The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has published updated rules for next year's Oscars, including measures aimed at curbing the use of artificial intelligence in filmmaking. The new guidelines clarify that in the acting categories, only roles "demonstrably performed by humans with their consent" will be considered eligible for an award. Similarly, in the writing categories, "screenplays must be human-authored to be eligible."
Impact on AI-Generated Performances
This decision means that Val Kilmer's posthumous AI-generated performance in the upcoming film As Deep as the Grave, directed by Coerte Voorhees, will not be eligible for Oscar consideration. The move follows concerns raised by several high-profile actors about the future of filmmaking. In February, Matthew McConaughey discussed the possibility of AI being rewarded at the Oscars, stating: "It's damn sure going to infiltrate our category. Does it become another category? Will we be, in five years, having 'the best AI film'? 'The best AI actor?'"
Industry Reactions
Last December, Avatar director James Cameron argued that performance capture in his films is fundamentally different from "generative AI, where they can make up a character. They can make up an actor. They can make up a performance from scratch with a text prompt. It's like, no. That's horrifying to me. That's the opposite. That's exactly what we're not doing."
Other Rule Changes
The Academy has also announced several other changes to Oscars guidelines for next year. Actors may now be nominated for multiple performances in the same category, provided all their performances rank in the top five votes in that category. For example, Paul Mescal could have been nominated last year for both The History of Sound and Hamnet, whereas he campaigned only for the latter.
International Film Eligibility Expanded
The Oscars have expanded the number of ways international films can be nominated. In addition to the existing system of films being nominated by countries or regions, international films will now also be eligible if they win Best Film at any of the following festivals: Berlin International Film Festival (Golden Bear for Best Film), Busan International Film Festival (Busan Award - Best Film Award), Cannes Film Festival (Palme d'Or), Sundance Film Festival (World Cinema Grand Jury Prize), Toronto International Film Festival (Platform Award), or the Venice International Film Festival (Golden Lion). As a result, the Best International Film Oscar will now be credited to both the film and the director, rather than solely to the nominating country.
Effective Date
These new rules will apply for the first time at the 99th Academy Awards, scheduled for Sunday, March 14, 2027.
