New Rules for the Oscars (CEFR Compare)

May 4, 2026, 21:20

New Rules for the Oscars

Introduction

The Oscar awards have new rules. They have new rules about AI and films from other countries.

Main Body

The Oscars want real people to make movies. AI cannot write the stories or act in the films. People must agree to be in the movies. This helps workers keep their jobs. Now, one country can send more than one movie. Before, they could only send one. Now, a country can send more movies if they win big prizes at famous festivals. Some movie makers are happy. They say more movies can enter now. Other people are not happy. They say it is still hard for some movies to enter.

Conclusion

The new rules protect human artists and help more countries.

Learning

🟢 The Power of "CAN" and "CANNOT"

In this text, we see how to talk about rules (what is allowed and what is forbidden).

The Pattern:

Positive (Yes): Subject + can + action $\rightarrow$ "One country can send more than one movie."
Negative (No): Subject + cannot + action $\rightarrow$ "AI cannot write the stories."

Why this helps you reach A2: Instead of using complex words like "permitted" or "prohibited," you can use can/cannot for almost everything in daily life.

Quick Examples from the text:

$\checkmark$ Can (Possible): "More movies can enter now."
$\times$ Cannot (Impossible): "AI cannot... act in the films."

Vocabulary Learning

rules (n.)

a set of instructions or guidelines

Example:The school has strict rules about noise.

awards (n.)

a prize given to someone for a special achievement

Example:She received awards for her volunteer work.

films (n.)

movies that are shown in a cinema

Example:We watched several films at the festival.

people (n.)

human beings; a group of individuals

Example:Many people attended the concert.

movies (n.)

a story shown on a screen

Example:He likes to watch movies on weekends.

write (v.)

to create words on paper or screen

Example:I will write a letter to my friend.

stories (n.)

a tale or narrative about events

Example:She told stories about her childhood.

act (v.)

to perform or do something

Example:The actor will act in the new movie.

workers (n.)

people who perform jobs

Example:Workers are essential for the city.

jobs (n.)

paid work or employment

Example:He has many jobs in the city.

country (n.)

a nation with its own government

Example:Japan is a beautiful country.

prizes (n.)

awards given for winning

Example:They gave prizes to the winners.

The Academy Updates Rules for the 99th Oscars

Introduction

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced new rules for eligibility and nominations. These changes focus on the use of artificial intelligence and new ways for international films to enter the competition.

Main Body

The Academy has introduced strict rules regarding human authorship to limit the influence of generative AI. To be eligible for acting and screenwriting awards, it must be proven that the work was created by humans. For actors, explicit consent is now required. These changes follow the 2023 Hollywood strikes, where unions fought to protect human creativity and prevent the unauthorized use of an actor's image by AI tools. At the same time, the Academy has changed the rules for the International Feature Film category. In the past, each country could only submit one film. Now, a country can submit multiple films if they have won top prizes at major festivals like Cannes, Venice, or Berlin. This change was made because some world-famous films were previously left out by their own national committees. Opinions on these changes are divided. Some filmmakers, such as Shaunak Sen, argue that these new rules allow for a more diverse range of national cinema. However, Meenakshi Shedde from the Toronto International Film Festival suggests that the requirement to win a major festival may still be too difficult. She emphasizes that the main problem is still how national bodies choose which films to send.

Conclusion

The Academy's new rules aim to protect human art while making the international competition more inclusive.

Learning

⚡ The 'B2 Power Shift': Moving from Basic to Precise

At the A2 level, you might say: "The rules changed because people were angry about AI." But a B2 speaker uses Connecting Phrases and Abstract Nouns to explain why things happen.

🚀 The Magic of "Regarding" and "Due to"

Look at the text: *"...strict rules regarding human authorship..."

Instead of using "about" (A2), B2 students use regarding or concerning. It sounds more professional and precise.

Try swapping these in your mind:

I want to talk about the movie $\rightarrow$ I want to discuss a matter regarding the movie.
The rules about AI $\rightarrow$ The regulations concerning AI.

🛠️ Building Complex Logic with "Due to" & "Follow"

Notice how the article links the 2023 strikes to the new rules:

*"These changes follow the 2023 Hollywood strikes..."

In A2, we use "because." In B2, we show the sequence of events to imply cause.

The B2 Logic Chain:

Event A happens (Strikes) $\rightarrow$ 2. Event B happens as a result (New Rules).

If you want to sound more advanced, stop using "because" for everything. Use:

Following [Event], [Result] happened.
Due to [Noun], [Result] occurred.

🧩 Vocabulary Upgrade: From 'Simple' to 'Formal'

To bridge the gap to B2, you must replace 'general' words with 'specific' ones found in the text:

A2 Word (Simple)	B2 Word (Precise)	Context from Text
Allowed	Eligible	...eligibility and nominations.
Agreement	Consent	...explicit consent is now required.
Different	Diverse	...a more diverse range of cinema.

Pro Tip: Don't just learn the word; learn the pair. We don't just say "consent," we say "explicit consent." That's the secret to B2 fluency.

Vocabulary Learning

Academy

A group of experts who set rules or standards in a particular field.

Example:The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences decides which movies win Oscars.

eligibility

The state of being qualified to participate or be considered.

Example:Only films that meet the eligibility criteria can be nominated.

nominations

The act of suggesting someone or something for a prize or honor.

Example:The film received several nominations at the awards ceremony.

generative

Capable of creating something new.

Example:Generative AI can produce original music and text.

authorship

The state of being the author of a work.

Example:The rule requires proof of authorship by a human.

influence

The power to affect the way something happens.

Example:The new rule limits the influence of AI on storytelling.

explicit

Clearly stated or shown.

Example:The contract contains explicit consent from the actor.

consent

Permission or agreement to do something.

Example:The actor gave his consent for the use of his image.

unauthorized

Not allowed or approved.

Example:Using an actor's image without permission is unauthorized.

International

Relating to more than one country.

Example:The International Feature Film category includes movies from around the world.

Feature

A main or prominent part of something.

Example:The film's feature is its stunning cinematography.

diverse

Showing a variety of different things or people.

Example:The festival showcases diverse stories from various cultures.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Implements Regulatory Revisions for the 99th Awards Cycle.

Introduction

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced updates to its eligibility and nomination criteria, focusing on the integration of artificial intelligence and the expansion of international submission protocols.

Main Body

The Academy has instituted stringent mandates regarding human authorship to mitigate the influence of generative artificial intelligence. Eligibility for acting and screenwriting awards is now contingent upon the demonstration of human performance and authorship, with the former requiring explicit consent. These measures align with broader industry tensions, as evidenced by the 2023 Hollywood strikes, where labor unions sought protections against the unauthorized utilization of likenesses and the displacement of human creativity by AI tools. Simultaneously, a significant modification has been applied to the International Feature Film category. Historically, eligibility was restricted to a single submission per nation, selected by an Academy-approved body. The new framework permits multiple submissions from a single country, provided the films have secured top honors at designated prestigious festivals, such as Cannes, Venice, and Berlin. This shift follows instances where globally acclaimed works—such as Payal Kapadia’s 'All We Imagine as Light' and Justine Triet’s 'Anatomy of a Fall'—were omitted by their respective national selection committees. Stakeholder responses to these changes are bifurcated. Certain filmmakers, including Shaunak Sen and Rohan Kanawade, posit that the expanded criteria facilitate a more diverse representation of national cinema. Conversely, Meenakshi Shedde of the Toronto International Film Festival suggests that the high threshold for festival wins may limit the actual number of eligible films, arguing that the primary bottleneck remains the internal selection processes of national bodies, such as the Film Federation of India.

Conclusion

The Academy's revised rules aim to preserve human artistic integrity while diversifying the international competitive landscape.

Learning

The Architecture of C2 Precision: Nominalization and the 'Statutory' Tone

To migrate from B2 to C2, a student must move beyond describing actions to constructing states. The provided text is a masterclass in Nominalization—the process of turning verbs or adjectives into nouns to create a formal, authoritative, and objective distance.

⚡ The Linguistic Pivot

Compare these two conceptualizations of the same event:

B2 (Action-oriented): The Academy changed the rules because they wanted to stop AI from taking over.
C2 (State-oriented): The Academy has instituted stringent mandates... to mitigate the influence of generative artificial intelligence.

In the C2 version, the action is no longer about 'changing rules' (a simple process), but about the institution of mandates and the mitigation of influence. This shifts the focus from the actor to the mechanism.

🔍 Dissecting the 'High-Density' Phrasing

Observe how the text employs complex noun phrases to pack maximum information into minimum space:

"The displacement of human creativity" $\rightarrow$ Instead of saying "AI is replacing the way humans create," the author uses a noun phrase. This allows the concept to function as a subject or object in a larger academic argument.
"The primary bottleneck remains the internal selection processes" $\rightarrow$ Here, "bottleneck" is used metaphorically as a noun. This is a C2 hallmark: using precise, conceptual metaphors to encapsulate a complex systemic failure.

🛠️ The C2 Strategy: Lexical Precision

To replicate this, focus on High-Value Verbs that support nominalization. Note the specific choices in the text:

B2 Verb	C2 Institutional Equivalent	Effect
Depend on	Be contingent upon	Adds a layer of legal/formal necessity
Divided	Bifurcated	Suggests a clean, structural split rather than just a disagreement
Propose	Posit	Moves from an opinion to a theoretical assertion

Academic Insight: The use of "bifurcated" is particularly telling. While "divided" describes a state, "bifurcated" describes a geometry of opinion. This is the level of precision required for C2 mastery: choosing the word that describes the shape of the idea, not just the meaning.

Vocabulary Learning

instituted (v.)

to establish or set up formally

Example:The committee instituted a new policy to streamline the approval process.

stringent (adj.)

strict, rigorous, or severe in enforcement

Example:The university imposed stringent requirements for graduate admissions.

mandates (n.)

official orders or commands that must be obeyed

Example:The new mandates require all employees to complete cybersecurity training.

mitigate (v.)

to lessen or reduce the severity of something

Example:Measures were taken to mitigate the environmental impact of the construction.

generative (adj.)

capable of producing or creating something

Example:Generative models can produce realistic images from textual descriptions.

contingent (adj.)

dependent on or conditioned by something else

Example:Her participation was contingent upon receiving a scholarship.

explicit (adj.)

clearly stated or expressed without ambiguity

Example:The contract contains explicit terms regarding confidentiality.

tensions (n.)

conflicts or strains between parties

Example:The rising tensions between the two countries threatened a diplomatic crisis.

unauthorized (adj.)

not authorized or permitted by authority

Example:The company discovered unauthorized access to its servers.

displacement (n.)

the act of moving someone or something from a place to another

Example:The war caused the displacement of thousands of refugees.

significant (adj.)

notable, important, or substantial

Example:The study revealed a significant correlation between sleep and memory.

modification (n.)

the act of altering or changing something

Example:The software underwent a major modification to improve performance.

restricted (adj.)

limited or confined in scope or access

Example:Access to the laboratory is restricted to authorized personnel.

prestigious (adj.)

having a high reputation or esteem

Example:She was invited to present at the prestigious Oxford conference.

bifurcated (adj.)

divided into two branches or parts

Example:The river became bifurcated after the flood.

diversifying (adj.)

making or becoming more varied or diverse

Example:The company is diversifying its portfolio to reduce risk.

threshold (n.)

the point of entry or beginning of something

Example:The threshold for admission is a GPA of 3.5.

bottleneck (n.)

a point where progress is limited or slowed

Example:The project faced a bottleneck due to insufficient funding.

integrity (n.)

the quality of being honest or morally upright

Example:Her integrity made her a trusted leader.

competitive (adj.)

involving or relating to competition

Example:The market is highly competitive, with many startups vying for customers.

landscape (n.)

the overall character or appearance of a place

Example:The coastal landscape was breathtaking at sunset.

protection (n.)

the act of guarding or preserving something

Example:The new law offers protection for whistleblowers.

utilization (n.)

the act of using or employing something

Example:Efficient utilization of resources is crucial for sustainability.

creativity (n.)

the ability to produce novel and valuable ideas

Example:Her creativity shone through in the innovative design.