AI Use No Longer a Barrier to Win Oscar, Says Academy

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has introduced official guidelines on the use of AI in filmmaking for the 98th Academy Awards. The new rules aim to strike a balance between technological advancements and preserve the core of human creativity in cinema.

According to the updated eligibility rules, the use of generative AI and other digital tools "neither helps nor harms" a film’s chances of receiving a nomination. Instead, the Academy and its branches will evaluate submissions based on the extent to which a human was at the heart of the creative authorship.

The Academy’s Science and Technology Council reflects increasing industry concerns about the role of AI in artistic production. It conveys a clear message: while AI may support the filmmaking process, it is the human touch that will ultimately be recognised and rewarded.

The use of AI in filmmaking was much talked about after Adrien Brody won the Best Actor Oscar in 2025  for his performance in ‘The Brutalist’. The film utilised generative AI to refine Brody’s Hungarian accent.

Furthermore, in an exclusive interview with AIM, filmmaker MG Srinivas from Karnataka discussed the challenges faced by low-budget productions in a tech-driven industry. “Technology has never truly benefited low-budget films, to be honest," he said. "The reality is that technology comes at a cost, and when a film is low-budget, it often means working with almost no budget at all.
Meanwhile, a Bangalore-based filmmaker, S Narasimha Murthy, has announced a fully AI-generated feature film, claiming to be the first of its kind. The film "Love You", a 95-minute-long Kannada movie, was reportedly made on a budget of $12,000.