Oscars Set New VFX, AI Rules For Next Year’s 99th Ceremony

The Academy’s Board of Governors has signed off on awards rules and campaign regulations for the 99th Oscars, with a handful of changes that could directly impact animation and visual effects categories.

But the big talking point, as has been the case for a few years now, has been considerations regarding the use of AI. The Academy’s Writing categories have been updated to explicitly require human authorship of screenplays, and the group has reserved the right to request more information about how generative AI was used on any submission. Acting nominations are also now restricted to roles “demonstrably performed by humans with their consent.”

Concerning VFX, all Academy members will now be required to watch the three-minute before-and-after reels from the VFX Bake-Off to vote in the final round, mirroring a tightening of the engagement bar set for other craft categories. The Bake-Off itself is scheduled for January 8-10, 2027.

Next year’s animated short category has been assigned a submission deadline of August 13, with a final deadline of October 8. Animated feature submissions are due by November 12.

The international feature category, which regularly receives several animated submissions, has added a meaningful new pathway to qualification. Non-English-language films, including animated films, can now qualify by winning a designated prize at one of six festivals: Berlin, Busan, Cannes, Sundance, Toronto, or Venice. The previous method, submission via a country’s selection committee, remains another option. The film itself will now be credited as the nominee, with the director accepting on behalf of the creative team.

The full rulebook is at oscars.org/rules.