00James A. MolnarWednesday, April 24, 2024Edit this post
The Academy announced the rule changes on April 22 for the 2025 Oscars.
As is the annual tradition, The Academy’s Board of Governors approved rules for next year’s Academy Awards.
The Academy announced the rule changes on Monday, including no more drive-in theater eligibility and expanded theatrical eligibility requirements.
Eligibility
For the 97th Academy Awards, a feature film must have a qualifying theatrical release between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024.
The six qualifying U.S. metropolitan areas will now include Dallas-Fort Worth (instead of Miami, Florida), in addition to Los Angeles County; the City of New York; the Bay Area; Chicago, Illinois; and Atlanta, Georgia.
Expanded theatrical eligibility requirements for Best Picture, approved by the Board of Governors in June 2023, will take effect for the 97th Oscars. Upon completion of an initial qualifying run, currently defined as a one-week theatrical release in one of the six U.S. qualifying cities, a film must meet the following additional theatrical standards for Best Picture eligibility:
- Expanded theatrical run of seven days, consecutive or non-consecutive, in 10 of the top 50 U.S. 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-U.S. territory releases can count towards two of the 10 markets.
- Qualifying non-U.S. markets include the top 15 international theatrical markets plus the home territory for the film.
Eligibility for consideration in the Best Picture category remains contingent upon submission of a confidential Academy Representation and Inclusion Standards Entry (RAISE) form and the film meeting the requirements of two of the four standards. Also, distributors and/or producing teams should submit for PGA Mark Certification or awards determination no later than the date of the film’s first commercial screening in its qualifying run.
The Drive-in rule goes away
This was fun while it lasted. Drive-in theaters were recently included as a qualifying commercial venue in certain metro areas; however, they will no longer be a means of qualification.
Animated/International crossover
Animated feature films submitted in the International Feature Film category are now eligible for consideration in the Animated Feature Film category if eligibility requirements outlined for both categories are met.
Original Score composer, shortlist increase
In the Music (Original Score) category, three composers will be allowed to receive individual statuettes if, in a "very rare and extraordinary circ*mstance," they all contributed fully to the score. Previously, three composers were required to submit as a group. The rules now clarify the definition of a group as a recognized band.
The shortlist will increase from 15 to 20 titles.
Submission deadlines announced
Submission deadlines are as follows:
- Thursday, August 15, 2024: First submission deadline for Animated Short Film, Documentary Feature Film, Documentary Short Film and Live Action Short Film categories
- Thursday, September 12, 2024: First submission deadline for General Entry categories, Animated Feature Film, Best Picture and RAISE form
- Wednesday, October 2, 2024: Submission deadline for International Feature Film
- Thursday, October 10, 2024: Final submission deadline for Animated Short Film, Documentary Short Film and Live Action Short Film categories
- Thursday, October 17, 2024: Final submission deadline for Documentary Feature Film
- Friday, November 1, 2024: Submission deadline for Music (Original Score) and Music (Original Song) categories
- Thursday, November 14, 2024: Final submission deadline for General Entry categories, Animated Feature Film, Best Picture and RAISE form
The Makeup and Hairstyling, Sound and Visual Effects nominating screenings (bake-offs) were also set forSaturday, January 11, 2025.
Campaign rule updates
Campaign regulations were also updated, in a 12-page document. These specify how motion picturecompanies 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.
Miscellaneous changes
The new eligibility period for the International Feature Film category is Nov. 1, 2023, to Sept. 30, 2024.
In the Writing categories, a final shooting script will now be required for submission.
Changes were made to the testimonial awards presented at the Governors Awards:
- The Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Awardwill now be presented as an Oscar statuette. The award isgiven to a creative producer whose body of work reflects a consistently high quality of motion picture production.
- The definition of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award was revised to clarify the broad term humanitarian efforts; the award will be “given to an individual in the motion picture industry whose humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry by promoting human welfare and contributing to rectifying inequities.”
- Also an interesting find: “No competitive Oscar winner shall be eligible to receive an Honorary Award except in extraordinary circ*mstances.”
Two special awards presented at the Scientific and Technical Awards have been renamed:
- Gordon E. Sawyer Award to “Scientific and Technical Lifetime Achievement Award”
- John A. Bonner Award to “Scientific and Technical Service Award”
For the complete 97th Academy Awards rules, visit oscars.org/rules.
The 97th Academy Awards, for outstanding film achievements of 2024, will be presented on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, and will be televised live on ABC and in more than 200 territories worldwide.
