The board of governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has updated the rules for awards and regulations for promotional campaigns for Oscars 2025. Changes have also been made to special honours presented at the annual Governors Awards and the Scientific and Technical Awards ceremonies.
Changes in best picture eligibility
To be eligible for Oscars consideration, films must now be released within the 2024 calendar year, with alterations to release methods. Drive-in theatres will no longer qualify, replaced by a requirement for a one-week screening in designated brick-and-mortar theatres in select metropolitan areas, including Los Angeles, New York City, the Bay Area, Chicago, Atlanta and Dallas-Fort Worth.
In addition, a film must also meet the following conditions for Best Picture eligibility:
- Expanded theatrical run of seven days, consecutive or non-consecutive, in 10 of the top 50 US markets, no later than 45 days after the initial release in 2024.
- For late-in-the-year films with expansions after January 10, 2025, distributors must submit release plans to the Academy for verification.
- Release plans for late-in-the-year films must include a planned expanded theatrical run, as described above, to be completed no later than January 24, 2025.
- Non-US territory releases can count towards two of the 10 markets.
- Qualifying non-US markets include the top 15 international theatrical markets plus the home territory for the film.
Changes in animated feature category
Foreign animated feature films submitted for the Best International Feature Film category may now also vie for consideration in the Best Animated Feature Film category, given they meet both categories' eligibility requirements.
Good news for composers and writers
The category for Best Original Score will now unveil a list of 20 nominees, up from the previous 15. Moreover, up to three composers can now qualify for individual statuettes, provided they can demonstrate their full contribution to the score. Previously, three composers had to submit as a group for consideration.
Additionally, writers seeking consideration for Best Adapted Screenplay or Best Original Screenplay awards must now provide a final shooting script.
Changes in the special awards
The Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award will no longer be in the form of a bust but will be an Oscar statuette. Additionally, two special honours at the Scientific and Technical Awards have been renamed — the Gordon E. Sawyer Award is now the Scientific and Technical Lifetime Achievement Award, while the John A. Bonner Award is now the Scientific and Technical Service Award.
New submission deadlines
Submission deadlines and key dates for various categories have also been announced, including deadlines for animated short films, documentary features, general entries, international feature films and music categories.
- August 15, 2024: First submission deadline for Animated Short Film, Documentary Feature Film, Documentary Short Film and Live Action Short Film categories
- September 12, 2024: First submission deadline for General Entry categories, Animated Feature Film, Best Picture and RAISE form
- October 2, 2024: Submission deadline for International Feature Film
- October 10, 2024: Final submission deadline for Animated Short Film, Documentary Short Film and Live Action Short Film categories
- October 17, 2024: Final submission deadline for Documentary Feature Film
- November 1, 2024: Submission deadline for Music (Original Score) and Music (Original Song) categories
- November 14, 2024: Final submission deadline for General Entry categories, Animated Feature Film, Best Picture and RAISE form
- January 11, 2025: Makeup and Hairstyling, Sound and Visual Effects nominating screenings (bake-offs)
Updated rules for campaigns
The Academy further revised and provided clearer guidelines regarding formatting and language in the campaign promotional regulations for the 97th Oscars. These regulations outline the specific ways in which film companies and individuals linked to eligible films can promote their works, accomplishments and performances to Academy members, as well as how Academy members themselves can promote eligible films, achievements and performances.
The 97th Academy Awards will be held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on March 2, 2025.
