The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences approved a set of new and modified rules for the 99th Academy Awards in 2027. The changes were reported by outlets including Vanity Fair.
Multiple nominations in the same acting category allowed
One significant change permits performers to receive multiple nominations in the same category. Under the previous rule, if an actor placed two performances in the top five of a given category, only the performance that received more votes would remain a nomination. Historically, Barry Fitzgerald remains the only performer to be nominated in both lead and supporting acting categories for the same film — Going My Way (1945).
Changes to the International Feature Film category
The International Feature Film category has also been revised: more than one film from the same country can now be eligible for nomination. Beyond films submitted by national or regional committees, non-English-language films that win the top prize at any of six Academy-approved festivals are eligible to compete. Those festivals are: the Berlinale (Berlin International Film Festival), the Busan International Film Festival, the Cannes Film Festival, the Sundance Film Festival, the Toronto International Film Festival, and the Venice International Film Festival.
Under the updated rules, the film itself is listed as the nominee rather than the submitting country or region, and the director accepts the award on behalf of the film’s crew.
Artificial intelligence: human authorship and real actors required
The rules address the use of artificial intelligence (AI). A key stipulation is that only screenplays written by humans will be accepted; AI-written scripts are not eligible. Additionally, only real, living actors may be nominated for awards. The Academy framed these measures as keeping pace with technological developments while remaining committed to human art and creation.
The Academy also stated it may request further information to verify that submitted materials were created by humans.
Dates
The 99th Academy Awards — the first ceremony to use these rules — will take place on March 14, 2027. The 100th Academy Awards are scheduled for March 5, 2028.
Why it matters
These updates respond to shifts in the festival circuit, international submissions, and advances in technology. Allowing multiple acting nominations and changing the International Feature Film eligibility could alter nomination dynamics, while the AI-related restrictions set boundaries for the creative and legal status of future film projects.
