Oscars 2025: New rules announced; to impact Best Picture criteria
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced a series of changes to the rules and promotional campaign regulations for the upcoming 97th Oscars, set to take place on March 2, 2025. The updates include new qualifying criteria for films, modifications to the best original score category, and revisions to special awards. These changes aim to support traditional cinemas by excluding COVID-19-era rules about drive-in theaters from its list of qualifying venues for Oscar eligibility.
Films must adhere to enhanced theatrical standards
In order to be considered for the Oscars, films must now be shown for a week in a theater in LA County, New York City, the Bay Area, Chicago, Atlanta, or Dallas-Fort Worth. Additionally, films must adhere to enhanced theatrical standards and meet at least two out of four criteria from the Academy's Representation and Inclusion Standards to contend for the Best Picture Oscar. Meanwhile, non-US territory releases will be counted toward two of the 10 markets required for qualification.
Significant changes to the Best Original Score category
The Academy has also made significant changes to the Best Original Score category. The shortlist for this category will now include 20 titles, up from the previous 15. Further, up to three composers can be individually recognized with Oscar statuettes if they have all made substantial contributions to a film's music. This is a departure from the previous rule that required composers to apply as a collective.
New requirements for Best Adapted Screenplay and Original Screenplay
The Academy has introduced new requirements for the Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Screenplay categories, with writers now obligated to provide a final shooting script. Additionally, animated features submitted by an overseas country for the Best International Feature Film trophy can also be considered for the Best Animated Feature Film category if they meet the eligibility requirements outlined for both categories. These changes aim to streamline the nomination process and broaden competition.
Governors Awards ceremony will see changes in special honors
The Academy's Governors Awards ceremony will see changes in its special honors. The Irving G Thalberg Memorial Award will transition from being presented as a bust of Thalberg to an Oscar statuette. The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award has been redefined as an award "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."
Academy rebranded two Scientific Awards, too
Meanwhile, the prestigious Academy has also announced the rebranding of two special honors given at the Scientific and Technical Awards. The Gordon E Sawyer Award will now be known as the "Scientific and Technical Lifetime Achievement Award," while the John A Bonner Award will transition to the "Scientific and Technical Service Award." Nominations are scheduled to be announced on January 17, following the release of the shortlists a month earlier.
