Hyderabad: 

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has officially announced new awards rules and campaign promotional regulations for the upcoming 98th Academy Awards, set to air live on ABC, Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.

New Category and Adjustments:

The 2026 ceremony will also mark the debut of the Academy Award for Achievement in Casting. A preliminary voting round will shortlist 10 films, followed by a "bake-off" presentation and Q&A with nominees for final consideration by members of the Casting Directors Branch.

Key Dates for the 2025-2026 Oscars Season:

First submission deadline for Animated Short Film, Documentary Feature Film, Documentary Short Film, and Live Action Short Film categories - Thursday, August 14, 2025

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

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

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

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

About the Academy:

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, with a global membership of over 10,500 film professionals, is dedicated to celebrating and preserving the arts and sciences of filmmaking. Beyond the Oscars, it operates the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and promotes opportunities for young and underrepresented filmmakers worldwide.

Campaign Regulations Tightened:

The Academy also clarified its campaign promotional regulations, including:

Oscar-qualifying film festivals may now share festival programming with Academy members via approved mailing services.

Public communications, including social media, must not disparage techniques or subject matter of any eligible film. Violations could result in penalties for members or associated individuals.

Other updates include:

Best Picture eligibility: Films released from January 1 to June 30, 2025, must show proof of Producers Guild of America (PGA) mark submission by September 10, 2025, while those released from July 1 to December 31, 2025, have until November 13, 2025.

Animated Short Film voting: Open to all Academy members who opt in and view all 15 shortlisted films.

Cinematography: A preliminary round will now shortlist between 10 and 20 films before final voting.

International Feature Film: Eligibility now includes filmmakers with refugee or asylum status in the submitting country.

Music Categories: New submission deadlines - October 15, 2025, for Original Song, and November 3, 2025, for Original Score.

New Category and Adjustments:

The 2026 ceremony will also mark the debut of the Academy Award for Achievement in Casting. A preliminary voting round will shortlist 10 films, followed by a "bake-off" presentation and Q&A with nominees for final consideration by members of the Casting Directors Branch.

Among the most significant changes, Academy members will now be required to watch all nominated films in a given category to be eligible to vote in the final Oscar round. This procedural update aims to ensure a fairer, more informed selection process.

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