Introduction
The Oscars, the film industry’s most celebrated awards, have a complex and secretive nomination process. Every year, members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences sift through hundreds of eligible films to decide which will compete in over 20 categories. Understanding how these selections are made reveals the power and limits of the organization’s voting system.
At a Glance
- Oscar nominations are chosen by Academy members through a multi-stage, secret ballot.
- Films must run for 7 days in a qualifying U.S. city and exceed 40 minutes to be eligible.
- The 98th ceremony will take place on March 15, 2026, with Conan O’Brien returning as host.
- Why it matters: The rules shape the industry’s creative output and influence which stories reach the widest audiences.
Eligibility Criteria
Every film that wants to compete must meet a baseline set of rules. According to the official rulebook, a movie must:
- Begin a seven-day theatrical run in at least one qualifying U.S. city between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31 of the year.
- Exceed 40 minutes in length, unless a specific category allows a shorter runtime.
- Be released in theaters; films that first appear on broadcast television or online are automatically excluded.
These requirements create a clear boundary between mainstream theatrical releases and other forms of distribution, ensuring that the Oscars remain a celebration of cinema as it is traditionally experienced.
The Voting Process
After the submission deadline, the Academy launches a multi-phase voting schedule:
- Preliminary vote – Held in December for all categories. A shortlist of several films is announced once this window closes. The Academy announced the shortlists for 12 categories in December.
- Nomination vote – Begins in mid-January and lasts four days. Members vote on the shortlisted titles, and the nominees are revealed live after the voting period ends.
This structure keeps the process tight and secret, with results only revealed during the live announcement.
Who Gets to Vote?
Only Academy members can vote for nominations, and even then, voting rights are limited to specific disciplines. The Academy has 20 branches, each representing a different filmmaking craft such as acting, directing, writing, and editing.
- Most categories: Members may only vote within their own branch.
- Exceptions: Best Picture, Best Animated Short Film, and Best International Feature Film allow all members to vote.
When it comes to selecting winners, all members are permitted to vote in every category. This distinction underscores the Academy’s effort to balance expertise with broader industry representation.
Watching the Films
Some categories require voters to watch every film on the shortlist. Best Animated Short Film, Best International Feature Film, and Best Live Action Short Film fall into this group.
In April 2025, the Academy extended the requirement to the final voting round: members must watch every nominated film in a category before casting a vote for the winner. The 98th Academy Awards in 2026 will be the first ceremony to implement this rule.
Kirsten Dunst, an Academy member, said in 2022 that she had already seen everything because she is a member. This anecdote illustrates the dedication some voters bring to the process.
Upcoming 98th Oscars
The next ceremony, the 98th Academy Awards, is scheduled for March 15, 2026. Conan O’Brien will return as host. The event will air live on ABC and stream on Hulu, continuing the tradition of wide accessibility.
The Academy’s Board of Governors also announced that the Achievement in Casting award will debut at the 98th ceremony, with Achievement in Stunt Design slated for the 100th awards in 2027. These new categories signal the Academy’s intent to recognize a broader range of filmmaking contributions.
Key Takeaways
- Oscar nominations are the product of a secret, multi-stage voting process involving only Academy members.
- Eligibility hinges on a seven-day theatrical run and a minimum runtime of 40 minutes.
- Voting rights are largely branch-specific, except for a handful of categories.
- New rules require voters to watch every nominated film in the final round, starting in 2026.
- The 98th ceremony will feature new awards and will be broadcast on ABC and Hulu.
These details provide a clearer picture of how the Oscars maintain their prestige and adapt to the evolving film landscape.
