Buzz
If you’re an everyday moviegoer with no direct ties to Hollywood, your understanding of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) might be limited to one key point: It’s the body behind the prestigious Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars.
And even if you tune in to watch the annual awards show, you might not give much thought to what it truly means to be an Academy member. However, after Will Smith resigned from the Academy following the infamous incident with Chris Rock at the Oscars, more people became curious about the specifics of Academy resignations. Let’s answer all your questions about what happens when someone steps down.
Can You Keep Your Oscars After Resigning?
Yes. As Variety reports, resigning from the Academy doesn’t mean you have to give up your Oscars. In fact, even individuals who were expelled, like Roman Polanski and Harvey Weinstein, have been allowed to keep their golden statuettes.
Can You Be Nominated for Future Oscars?
Yes, you can. You don’t need to be a member of the Academy to receive an Oscar nomination. While many nominees do join the Academy afterward, the organization automatically considers them for membership. Anyone else wishing to join must be sponsored by two existing members from the branch they wish to enter, according to AMPAS guidelines.
Can You Attend Future Oscar Ceremonies?
Yes, it’s possible to receive an invitation to future Oscar ceremonies, even without being a member.
Can You Vote in the Oscars?
No. Essentially, resigning from the Academy means giving up all the rights and responsibilities that come with being a member—just like quitting any other organization. You’ll no longer be part of the Oscars nomination process or final voting, you won’t have access to Academy-hosted screenings for films, and you’ll lose the ability to sponsor others for membership, among other things.
However, you’re not automatically banned from activities that non-members can still participate in, like being nominated for awards or attending the ceremonies. If you resigned due to a specific incident under investigation by the Academy—like Will Smith’s case—it may choose to revoke certain privileges. But that would be because of the incident, not because of your resignation itself.
