Academy Members Can Now Vote in All Oscar Categories

All members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will be able to vote in all 24 Oscars categories, the Academy announced Saturday.

The rule change means that members may be allowed to see nominated documentary shorts and foreign language films on either a DVD or in a theater, said president Hawk Koch in a statement.

Next year, DVDs will be sent to academy members in five categories: foreign language film, documentary feature, documentary short subject, animated short film and live action short film. Until now, Academy members were required to see those films in theaters if they wanted to vote in those categories.

"This change continues our efforts to expand our members' participation in all aspects of the Academy's activities, including, of course, voting for the Oscars," Koch said.

He said last year, 90 percent of Academy members voted, and this step will edge that level up.

The next Oscars are scheduled for March 2 at the Dolby Theatre at the Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood.