The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has officially released the awards rules and campaign promotional regulations for the 98th Oscars, airing live on ABC on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT. Alongside the updated rules, the Academy also announced key dates for the 2025 awards season.
One of the biggest changes this year is that Academy members must now watch all nominated films in a given category to be eligible to vote in the final round. This rule aims to promote fairness and informed voting across the board.
The upcoming Oscars will also debut the new Academy Award for Achievement in Casting. The casting award will follow a two-step process: a shortlist of 10 films will be selected in a preliminary round, followed by “bake-off” presentations and a Q&A session with nominees for the Casting Directors Branch before the final nominations are determined.
The Academy has also introduced formal language addressing the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence. According to the new rule, AI and other digital tools used in filmmaking will neither help nor harm a film’s chances for a nomination. Instead, the Academy will focus on the level of human creativity involved when assessing a film’s merits.
Eligibility timelines have been adjusted as well. For Best Picture consideration, films released between January 1 and June 30, 2025, must submit proof of Producers Guild of America (PGA) certification or awards-only determination by September 10. Films released in the second half of the year have until November 13 to provide proof of submission.
In other category changes, voting for the Animated Short Film nominations will now be open to all Academy members who opt in and watch all 15 shortlisted titles. The Cinematography category will now feature a shortlist of 10 to 20 films prior to nominations. In the International Feature Film category, the Academy has expanded eligibility to include filmmakers with refugee or asylum status, provided creative control resides within the submitting country.
The Music categories now have separate deadlines, with Original Song submissions due by October 15 and Original Score submissions by November 3.
In terms of campaigning, the Academy has tightened regulations on public communications. Members and individuals associated with eligible films may no longer make disparaging remarks about the techniques or subject matter of other films, including on social media. Violators may face penalties. Oscar-qualifying festivals are now also permitted to use approved mailing houses to promote programming to Academy members.
Important dates for the 2025 Oscars season include the first round of submissions in August and September, with nominations announced on January 22, 2026. Final voting runs from February 26 to March 5, 2026. The Governors Awards will be held on November 16, 2025, and the Scientific and Technical Awards are set for April 28, 2026.
All rules and dates are subject to change as the Academy continues to adapt to the evolving landscape of filmmaking and awards recognition.