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‘Were they just voting on vibes?’: Oscars’ new compulsory viewing rule sparks backlash

The announcement that members must watch all films nominated in a category in order to vote for the winner, is met with disbelief that it wasn’t already the case

A new rule introduced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to ensure voters have seen all the films in a category before they cast their ballots has provoked disquiet online, with many expressing surprise it wasn’t already a requirement. “Absolutely insane this wasn’t already a thing,” wrote one person on X, a sentiment echoed by many others, who questioned the validity of previous Academy decisions and theorised about the reasons key titles had been celebrated – or snubbed. Stringent regulations are in force to ensure not only that voters view all the films in the categories for which they cast their ballot, but also that they watch 15 randomised movies participating in the first stage of voting.

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