Hoping to be nominated for an Oscar in one of the music categories next year? Listen up. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences on Monday (April 21) announced key dates and various procedural changes for the 2026 Oscars, which included separate, significantly earlier submission deadlines in the two music categories.
Submissions for best original song must be made by Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 5 p.m. PT. Submissions for best original score are due no later than Monday, Nov. 3, at 5 p.m. PT. Last year, the submission deadline in both categories was the same as for general entry categories — Nov. 14, 2024.
This was one of many changes approved by the academy’s board of governors and announced on Monday.
In the rules for film eligibility, the following language regarding generative artificial intelligence has been introduced, as recommended by the Academy’s Science and Technology Council: “With regard to generative artificial intelligence and other digital tools used in the making of the film, the tools neither help nor harm the chances of achieving a nomination. The academy and each branch will judge the achievement, taking into account the degree to which a human was at the heart of the creative authorship when choosing which movie to award.”
In a procedural change, academy members must now watch all nominated films in each category to be eligible to vote in the final round for the Oscars. All designated nominees will also be included on the final ballot.
Other substantive awards rules changes include:
- For consideration in the best picture category, films released from Jan. 1 through June 30 must have shown proof of submission for Producers Guild of America mark certification or awards-only determination no later than Sept. 10. Films released from July 1 through Dec. 31 must have shown proof of submission to the PGA no later than Nov. 13.
- In the international feature film category, the eligibility requirement regarding creative control has been updated to be inclusive of filmmakers with refugee or asylum status. The submitting country must confirm that creative control of the film was largely in the hands of citizens, residents or individuals with refugee or asylum status in the submitting country.
- Category rules for eligibility and voting for the inaugural Academy Award for achievement in casting have been codified. There will be a preliminary round of voting to determine a shortlist of 10 films, and prior to nominations voting, casting directors branch members will be invited to view a “bake-off” presentation of the shortlisted achievements, including a Q&A with the designated nominees.
- In the animated short film category, voting privileges in the nominations round will be extended to all academy members who opt in to participate. Members must view all 15 shortlisted films to be eligible to vote in the category.
- In the cinematography category, there will now be a preliminary round of voting for the cinematography award to determine a shortlist of between 10 and 20 films.
The academy also updated and clarified formatting and language in the campaign promotional regulations for the 98th Oscars. The campaign promotional regulations specify how motion picture companies 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.
Substantive changes to the campaign promotional regulations include:
- Public communications (including any social media posts, reposts, shares and comments) may not disparage the techniques used in or subject matter of any motion picture. Any academy member, motion picture company or individual directly associated with an eligible motion picture found to be in violation will be subject to penalization.
As previously announced, the 98th Oscars will air live on ABC on Sunday, March 15, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. Conan O’Brien will host for the second year in a row. Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan will return as the show’s executive producers for the third consecutive year. Jeff Ross and Mike Sweeney will return as producers for a second time. Sweeney will also serve as a writer.
It will also be the third year in a row that the telecast will start at 4 p.m. on the West Coast, in an effort to make it so that East Coast viewers can find out who wins the biggest awards before they go to bed. (This year’s show ended at 10:50 p.m. ET, making that goal a reality for all but the earliest risers.)
The academy stresses that all rules and dates for the 98th Academy Awards are subject to change. For the complete 98th Academy Awards rules and campaign promotional regulations, visit the academy’s website.
Key dates for the 2025 Oscars season are as follows:
First submission deadline for animated short film, documentary feature film, documentary short film and live action short film categories: Thursday, Aug. 14
First submission deadline for general entry categories, animated feature film, best picture and RAISE form: Wednesday, Sept. 10
Submission deadline for international feature film: Wednesday, Oct. 1
Student Academy Awards: Monday, Oct. 6
Final submission deadline for animated short film, documentary short film and live action short film categories: Thursday, Oct. 9
Submission deadline for music (original song): Wednesday, Oct. 15
Final submission deadline for documentary feature film: Thursday, Oct. 16
Submission deadline for music (original score): Monday, Nov. 3
Final submission deadline for general entry categories, animated feature film, best picture and RAISE form: Thursday, Nov. 13
Governors Awards: Sunday, Nov. 16
Preliminary voting begins 9 a.m. PT: Monday, Dec. 8
Preliminary voting ends 5 p.m. PT: Friday, Dec. 12
Oscars shortlists announcement: Tuesday, Dec. 16
Casting, makeup and hairstyling, sound and visual effects nominating screenings (bake-offs): Sat. Jan. 10/Sun. Jan. 11, 2026
Nominations voting begins: Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, at 9 a.m. PT
Nominations voting ends: Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at 5 p.m. PT
Oscars nominations announcement: Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026
Oscars nominees event: Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026
Finals voting begins: Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, at 9 a.m. PT
Finals voting ends: Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 5 p.m. PT
98th Oscars: Sunday,March 15, 2026
Scientific and technical awards: Tuesday, April 28, 2026
