Oscar Rule Changes for 2027
Posted: Sat May 02, 2026 11:09 pm
The Oscars have announced several rule changes that will go into effect at next year's ceremony. Some of the more noticeable ones:
1. There will be a new category for the best stunt ensemble in a film. This rule change was actually approved a year ago but will go into effect with the upcoming voting.
2. From now on, actors will be able to receive multiple nominations in the same category, if they have two performances that impress enough voters. Previously, an actor (or actress) could receive a Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor nomination in the same year, but not two Best Actor nominations. When an actor has two Oscar-worthy performances, usually the studio promotes him for Best Actor in one film and Best Supporting Actor in the other. That's what happened to Jaime Foxx in 2005 when he won the Best Actor Oscar for Ray and received a Supporting Actor nomination for Collateral for what was clearly a co-leading performance with Tom Cruise. Talent in all other categories have always been able to receive multiple nominations and have often done so, especially in the more technical categories.
3. The Academy made it clear that AI "actors," like Tilly Norwood, are ineligible for Oscars. Similarly, AI-generated screenplays will be ineligible for Oscars.
4. Under current rules, the governing film authority from foreign countries submits one film for consideration as the Best Foreign Language film. Now, if a second movie from that country wins a listed major film festival award, it can also be nominated. This was done to overcome gamesmanship when a selection committee chose an inferior film for political or other non-artistic reasons. Now, nominations will be in the name of the film, not the country, and the winning director will accept the reward.
5. At the Governor's Awards (honorary Oscars), talent in at least three separate categories will receive awards each year. This means more honorary Oscars for lifetime achievement by talent in the technical categories.
1. There will be a new category for the best stunt ensemble in a film. This rule change was actually approved a year ago but will go into effect with the upcoming voting.
2. From now on, actors will be able to receive multiple nominations in the same category, if they have two performances that impress enough voters. Previously, an actor (or actress) could receive a Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor nomination in the same year, but not two Best Actor nominations. When an actor has two Oscar-worthy performances, usually the studio promotes him for Best Actor in one film and Best Supporting Actor in the other. That's what happened to Jaime Foxx in 2005 when he won the Best Actor Oscar for Ray and received a Supporting Actor nomination for Collateral for what was clearly a co-leading performance with Tom Cruise. Talent in all other categories have always been able to receive multiple nominations and have often done so, especially in the more technical categories.
3. The Academy made it clear that AI "actors," like Tilly Norwood, are ineligible for Oscars. Similarly, AI-generated screenplays will be ineligible for Oscars.
4. Under current rules, the governing film authority from foreign countries submits one film for consideration as the Best Foreign Language film. Now, if a second movie from that country wins a listed major film festival award, it can also be nominated. This was done to overcome gamesmanship when a selection committee chose an inferior film for political or other non-artistic reasons. Now, nominations will be in the name of the film, not the country, and the winning director will accept the reward.
5. At the Governor's Awards (honorary Oscars), talent in at least three separate categories will receive awards each year. This means more honorary Oscars for lifetime achievement by talent in the technical categories.