Academy Says Oscars Will Keep Rewarding Human Work as AI Spreads
Academy president Lynette Howell Taylor, speaking in Tokyo, cited copyright and disclosure concerns as factors in its thinking on AI.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will keep rewarding human excellence and human-driven workflows as artificial intelligence spreads through filmmaking, Academy president Lynette Howell Taylor said in Tokyo, according to Variety.
Howell Taylor said AI has been part of post-production workflows for a decade and is already built into visual effects. She cited concerns around copyright, transparency and disclosure as factors in the Academy's thinking on the technology.
The Academy leadership is in Japan for the Tokyo International Film Festival to meet members and filmmakers. CEO Bill Kramer said the Academy now has 25% non-U.S. membership.
On eligibility, Meredith Shea, the Academy's chief membership, impact and industry officer, said the International Feature Executive Committee will review the international feature rules each year. She said the six festivals named in those rules were chosen according to their submission numbers and worldwide reach.
Under the rules for the 99th Oscars, a non-English-language film can qualify for international feature without being its country's official submission by winning a top prize at one of six festivals: the Golden Bear at Berlin, the Busan Award for best film, the Palme d'Or at Cannes, the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, the Platform Award at Toronto and the Golden Lion at Venice.
Older context
The three shorts categories and documentary feature already use qualifying festivals. In a recent year, Andrey Zvyagintsev's Minotaur nearly missed festival qualification after winning the Grand Prix rather than the Palme d'Or at Cannes, before its country selected it as its submission.
Quick answers
What did the Academy say about AI and the Oscars?
President Lynette Howell Taylor said the Oscars will always award human excellence and human-driven workflow, citing copyright, transparency and disclosure concerns.
How can a film qualify for international feature at the 99th Oscars?
A non-English-language film can qualify without being its country's official submission by winning a top prize at one of six festivals, including the Palme d'Or at Cannes and the Golden Lion at Venice.
Will the international feature rules change?
Meredith Shea said the International Feature Executive Committee will review the rules each year.