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Oscar Voters Under Oath: See It to Vote It!
28 Feb
Summary
- Academy voters must attest to seeing films they vote on.
- Fewer films dominate nominations, widening the gap.
- One-nomination films face long odds despite new rules.
Voters for the 98th Annual Academy Awards, numbering nearly 10,000, are currently casting their ballots, with a new requirement in place: they must attest to having seen the nominated films. This honor system aims to address the growing concern that many voters do not watch a significant portion of the submitted movies.
The Academy's initiative seeks to encourage members to engage with a wider range of films, as data reveals a concentration of nominations among a few titles. Out of 317 eligible feature films, only 30 received nominations outside of short film and documentary categories, with half of those earning just one nod.
This situation creates a challenging landscape for films with single nominations, particularly in acting categories where a few multi-nominated movies dominate. For instance, 11 out of 20 acting nominees hail from just three films: One Battle After Another, Sentimental Value, and Sinners.
Despite the new rules and the push for transparency, individual actors like Ethan Hawke, Kate Hudson, Rose Byrne, and Amy Madigan face long odds if their films lack broad recognition or extensive campaign support. Their chances may hinge on whether the new requirement genuinely encourages voters to see their performances.
Oscar voting concludes on Thursday, March 5, 2026. The 98th Annual Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled to air on ABC and Hulu on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
