Academy nudges voters to actually watch all the Oscar contenders this year

Oscar voters are getting some extra homework this awards season

Oscar voters are getting some extra homework this awards season.

An email obtained by NBC News shows how Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences members must confirm that they have watched all the movies nominated in each category in order to be allowed to vote.

The email, which has not previously been made public, provided guidance on what steps the more than 10,000 voting academy members need to take ahead of the final Oscar ballot deadline March 5.

The academy has long required members who vote in certain preliminary rounds, such as those who determine the short list for international films, to confirm that they have watched a group of assigned movies. In April, it revised that policy to note that academy members must watch every Oscar-nominated film in order to vote.

The email appears to be the first time the organization is offering detailed information on how the new rule will be enforced. To be eligible to vote, members must watch all five films in each Oscar category and all 10 in the best picture category, the academy said.