The 98th edition of Oscar, scheduled for March 15, 2026, promises to be a watershed in the history of Academia, Artes and Ciências Cinematográficas. The event, which will return to the traditional Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, will not only be a celebration of the best films released in 2025, but also a litmus test for a comprehensive set of new rules and protocols. The organization seeks to balance the tradition of Hollywood glamor with the urgent need for modernization and control, in response to a series of incidents that marked the last decade and undermined the institution’s credibility before the public and specialized critics.
Behind the scenes, preparation for the ceremony involves a meticulous effort to avoid unwanted surprises, whether technical, behavioral or political in nature. Academia leadership recognizes that the cultural landscape has changed drastically and that tolerance for mistakes or controversial improvisations is increasingly low in the age of instant information. With the live broadcast being watched by millions of viewers around the globe, the priority has become to shield the Oscar brand against controversies that could overshadow the night’s winners.
Industry professionals and entertainment analysts point out that the changes implemented reflect a defensive stance by the organization. The goal is clear: to ensure the focus remains on cinematic excellence and not behind-the-scenes drama or operational gaffes. Para In addition, everything from the codes of conduct for guests to the strict security procedures involved in handling the envelopes with the winners’ names were revised, creating an unprecedented atmosphere of surveillance for this year’s gala.
Strategic planning for 2026 is the direct result of an in-depth analysis of past events. Academia conducted internal studies and consultancies to identify the systemic failures that allowed embarrassing situations to occur in previous editions. The new regulation, therefore, works as an institutional response that aims to restore the confidence of studios, artists and, mainly, the global audience, reaffirming the relevance of the award in an increasingly fragmented and competitive entertainment market.
Security and crisis response protocols
The need for tighter control over participants’ behavior became evident after the 2022 incident, when the ceremony was interrupted by a physical assault on stage. Aquele moment, led by Will Smith and Chris Rock, exposed the fragility of live security protocols and the organization’s slowness in responding to emergency situations in real time. Como direct consequence, Academia established and improved the functioning of a “crisis team”, made up of specialists in public relations and security, ready to act immediately in the face of any unforeseen event.
This team operates outside of the spotlight, monitoring the broadcast and the theater environment with autonomy to make quick decisions. Current protocol provides for a range of scenarios, from political disruptions to physical confrontations, ensuring that the ceremony can continue or be halted in an orderly manner if necessary. The intention is to avoid the vacuum of authority that was perceived by the public in 2022, when the aggression occurred without immediate intervention or an official explanation during the broadcast.
In addition to physical safety, there is renewed concern for emotional integrity and civility among peers. The code of conduct has been updated to make explicit that any form of harassment, discrimination or violence will result in immediate expulsion and possible future sanctions, including revocation of award eligibility. Academia thus seeks to promote an environment where artistic celebration is not tainted by personal disputes or inappropriate behavior.
Reformulation of campaign and lobbying rules
Another focal point of the changes for 2026 concerns promotional campaigns leading up to the vote. The film industry has always faced intense lobbying, but recent “grassroots campaign” tactics, which use networks of personal contacts to aggressively influence votes, have raised alarms within the organization. The controversy surrounding the surprise nomination of Andrea Riseborough in previous years served as the catalyst for a complete overhaul of the promotion guidelines.
The new rules severely limit the ability of studios and public relations agencies to hold lavish private events or directly contact voting members during the decision period. The goal is to level the playing field, ensuring that films with smaller marketing budgets have a fair chance based on artistic merit, and not just the ability to finance exclusive dinners and parties for industry influencers.
Academia also intensified social media monitoring. Publicações that denigrate competing films or that violate the spirit of healthy competition are now subject to punishment. Transparency has become the watchword, with the requirement that any external financing for campaigns be clearly declared, preventing hidden interests from manipulating voter perceptions.
The legacy of technical errors and award accuracy
The memory of the historic error in the announcement of Melhor Filme in 2017, involving “Moonlight” and “La La Land”, still reverberates in the corridors of Academia. Aquele episode, caused by a human error in the delivery of envelopes and the improper use of cell phones behind the scenes by auditors, resulted in a total reformulation of the tabulation and announcement procedures. Para 2026, the verification of envelopes goes through multiple conference stages before they even reach the presenters’ hands.
Audit partners PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) now operate under strict protocols that prohibit any electronic distractions during the ceremony. Redundancy has been built into the system: there are multiple sets of envelopes and auditors positioned on both sides of the stage, trained to physically intervene and stop the announcement if an error is detected in the microphone. Technical precision is now seen as fundamental to maintaining the legitimacy of Oscar.
Inclusion and diversity as mandatory criteria
The #OscarsSoWhite movement, which broke out in 2015, forced Academia to look at herself and recognize the lack of representation in her paintings and choices. Desde So, there was a concerted effort to diversify the voting body, inviting more women, people of color and international filmmakers. By 2026, these structural changes are fully integrated, with the eligibility rules for the Melhor Filme category requiring clear standards of inclusion in the team and squad.
These guidelines are not just suggestions, but technical requirements that producers must meet to submit their works. The intention is that diversity on screen reflects the diversity of global audiences and that opportunities in the industry are distributed more equitably. The impact of these policies is already visible in the variety of genres and origins of the productions that make it to the final list of nominees.
Modern challenges: Inteligência Artificial and ethics
The 2026 edition faces unprecedented challenges brought about by technological advances and contemporary ethical discussions. The use of generative Inteligência Artificial in film production has become a central point of contention. The film “Blue Taurus”, for example, generated heated debates about the eligibility of works that use AI to create performances or scripts, raising questions about the definition of human authorship and creativity in the digital age.
In addition to technology, safety on film sets is back on the agenda with the release of “Marty Supreme”. Working conditions and the responsibility of studios to protect their physical and mental teams are topics that Academia can no longer ignore. The awards face the pressure of not only recognizing the final art, but also validating the ethical processes behind its creation.
Gender representation also gains prominence with the production “Emilia Perez”, which brought to light discussions about the representation of trans people in cinema. Academia sees itself in the position of cultural mediator, needing to navigate these sensitive issues without alienating parts of its audience or members. The way in which the ceremony will approach these films and themes will be a clear indication of how the institution intends to position itself in the future of cinema.
Political history and freedom of expression
Oscar’s relationship with political activism is long and complex. Desde Marlon Brando’s refusal to accept the award in 1973, sending activist Sacheen Littlefeather in her place to protest the treatment of Native Americans, the awards stage has been used as a platform for social causes. Academia, however, has sought to moderate these demonstrations, preferring speeches that unite the industry to statements that could polarize the public.
For the 2026 ceremony, the orientation is to maintain the focus on celebrating art, although the organization claims to respect the winners’ freedom of expression. The challenge lies in allowing artists to express their convictions without turning the event into a political rally, which historically tends to negatively affect television audience ratings. The balance between entertainment and social awareness remains a fine line that event production needs to tread carefully.
