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We go into depth on our thoughts regarding the rule changes that AMPAS announced for the 98th Oscars on this week’s podcast. In case you didn’t catch it already, here’s the full press release including important dates for 98th Oscar consideration. What do you think of the changes?
In a procedural change, Academy members must now watch all nominated films in each category to be eligible to vote in the final round for the Oscars®. All designated nominees will also be included on the final ballot.
Category rules for eligibility and voting for the inaugural Academy Award® for Achievement in Casting have been codified. There will be a preliminary round of voting to determine a shortlist of 10 films, and prior to nominations voting, Casting Directors Branch members will be invited to view a “bake-off” presentation of the shortlisted achievements, including a Q&A with the designated nominees.
Other substantive awards rules changes include:
- In the rules for film eligibility, the following language regarding Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been introduced, as recommended by the Academy’s Science and Technology Council:
- For consideration in the Best Picture category, films released from January 1, 2025, through June 30, 2025, must have shown proof of submission for Producers Guild of America (PGA) mark certification or awards-only determination no later than September 10, 2025. Films released from July 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025, must have shown proof of submission to the PGA no later than November 13, 2025.
- In the Animated Short Film category, voting privileges in the nominations round will be extended to all Academy members who opt in to participate. Members must view all 15 shortlisted films to be eligible to vote in the category.
- In the Cinematography category, there will now be a preliminary round of voting for the Cinematography award to determine a shortlist of between 10 and 20 films.
- In the International Feature Film category, the eligibility requirement regarding creative control has been updated to be inclusive of filmmakers with refugee or asylum status.
- For the Music categories, there will now be a separate, earlier deadline of Wednesday, October 15, 2025, 5 p.m. PT for song submissions. Original Score submissions will be due no later than Monday, November 3, 2025, at 5 p.m. PT.
| First submission deadline for Animated Short Film, Documentary Feature Film, Documentary Short Film and Live Action Short Film categories |
Thursday, August 14, 2025 |
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First submission deadline for General Entry categories, Animated Feature Film, Best Picture and RAISE form |
Wednesday, September 10, 2025 |
| Submission deadline for International Feature Film | Wednesday, October 1, 2025 |
| Student Academy Awards | Monday, October 6, 2025 |
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Final submission deadline for Animated Short Film, Documentary Short Film and Live Action Short Film categories |
Thursday, October 9, 2025 |
| Submission deadline for Music (Original Song) | Wednesday, October 15, 2025 |
| Final submission deadline for Documentary Feature Film | Thursday, October 16, 2025 |
| Submission deadline for Music (Original Score) | Monday, November 3, 2025 |
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Final submission deadline for General Entry categories, Animated Feature Film, Best Picture and RAISE form |
Thursday, November 13, 2025 |
| Governors Awards | Sunday, November 16, 2025 |
| Preliminary voting begins 9 a.m. PT | Monday, December 8, 2025 |
| Preliminary voting ends 5 p.m. PT | Friday, December 12, 2025 |
| Oscars Shortlists Announcement | Tuesday, December 16, 2025 |
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Casting, Makeup and Hairstyling, Sound and Visual Effects nominating screenings (bake-offs) |
Sat. Jan. 10 / Sun. Jan. 11, 2026 |
| Nominations voting begins 9 a.m. PT | Monday, January 12, 2026 |
| Nominations voting ends 5 p.m. PT | Friday, January 16, 2026 |
| Oscars Nominations Announcement | Thursday, January 22, 2026 |
| Oscars Nominees Event | Tuesday, February 10, 2026 |
| Finals voting begins 9 a.m. PT | Thursday, February 26, 2026 |
| Finals voting ends 5 p.m. PT | Thursday, March 5, 2026 |
| 98th Oscars | Sunday, March 15, 2026 |
| Scientific and Technical Awards | Tuesday, April 28, 2026 |
The Academy also updated and clarified formatting and language in the campaign promotional regulations for the 98th Oscars®. The campaign promotional regulations specify how motion picture companies and individuals directly associated with Oscars-eligible motion pictures may promote such motion pictures, achievements and performances to Academy members and how Academy members may promote Oscars-eligible motion pictures, achievements and performances.
Substantive changes to the campaign promotional regulations include:
- Oscar®-qualifying film festivals may now have access to approved mailing houses to share information about festival programming with Academy members.
- Public communications (including any social media posts, reposts, shares and comments) may not disparage the techniques used in or subject matter of any motion picture. Any Academy member, motion picture company or individual directly associated with an eligible motion picture found to be in violation will be subject to penalization.
All rules and dates for the 98th Academy Awards are subject to change.
For the complete 98th Academy Awards rules and campaign promotional regulations, visit oscars.org/rules.
This is long overdue. It will take a few years to see if it has any effect.