The Academy has its first official rule regarding generative AI, and it’s more like a suggestion. The April 21 update to Academy rules features a post-Brutalist addition. “With regard to Generative Artificial Intelligence and other digital tools used in the making of the film, the tools neither help nor harm the chances of achieving a nomination,” the regulations now state. “The Academy and each branch will judge the achievement, taking into account the degree to which a human was at the heart of the creative authorship when choosing which movie to award.” So it’s up to the voters, who are the same people who keep actively torturing Diane Warren.
Other rule changes were much more definite. For one, Academy voters have to watch the movies. Oh, my sweet, naïve child, read the secret ballots. Now Academy voters will have to watch every movie eligible to take part in final Oscar voting. Kirsten Dunst will go on as usual. Also, in the International Feature Film category, the Academy is ensuring that refugees’ films are able to be nominated by the submitting country. Countries will be able to nominate films that were creatively controlled by “citizens, residents, or individuals with refugee or asylum status.” Meanwhile, the new Casting category will be made up of nominees off a ten-film shortlist, à la the Makeup and Hairstyling or Sound categories. Sadly, the Academy has released no rules preventing the tomfoolery that led to two leading actors winning the Supporting categories this year.
