The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Friday a set of new eligibility rules that bar AI-created actors from Oscar consideration and require that acting performances and screenplays be created by humans, while still permitting the use of AI tools in other parts of the filmmaking process.
AI-created actors
The Academy said only roles “demonstrably performed by humans with their consent” will qualify for acting awards, effectively excluding performances generated entirely by artificial intelligence. That standard would rule out AI-made figures such as the virtual actress Tilly Norwood, who debuted last year. The decision follows a recent example in which a youthful-looking digital version of Val Kilmer appeared in the trailer for As Deep as the Grave, produced using archival footage with his family’s approval.
Screenplays and authorship
Screenplays must be wholly human-authored to be eligible for writing awards. The Academy emphasized that while AI tools may be used in filmmaking, creative authorship must remain human at the core of any submission. It added that AI assistance should “neither help nor harm” a film’s chances, and said it may request additional documentation from submitters to verify that scripts and performances were produced by people.
International feature category
The rules for the international feature category were also revised. Films can now qualify not only through official national submissions but also by winning top awards at major festivals — including Cannes, Berlin, Busan, Venice or Toronto. Under the change, the film itself, rather than solely the submitting country, will be listed as the nominee; the director will appear on the statuette plaque alongside the country where applicable. The move is intended to make it easier for acclaimed films — including those from repressive states where national selection processes may be constrained — to reach Oscar consideration.
Multiple acting nominations
Performers will now be eligible to receive multiple nominations in the same acting category for different roles, a departure from the prior rule that prevented multiple acting nominations in a single category for the same performer.
Timing
These changes will take effect for the 99th Academy Awards, scheduled for March 2027.
Edited by: Rana Taha