US: Oscars 2025 New Rules: Expect some changes next year with the Oscars ceremony as The Academy announced that they are looking at a few rejigs. The new awards rules and campaign regulations for the upcoming Oscars 2025 ceremony were announced on April 22.
Oscars 2025 New Rules
Among the biggest changes announced are some in the original score category. Now, up to three composers can receive individual Oscar statuettes if they all significantly contribute to a film’s music that has won. Earlier, all composers had to submit as a group. The most recent example of that is the band Son Lux for Everything Everywhere All at Once. Another recent example is of artists Jon Batiste, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, winning just one statuette for their work in the animated film Soul. Also, the shortlist in this category has been expanded from 15 to 20 titles, which will be announced in late December before the official nomination voting period begins in January.
Eligibility criteria for films get changed
The Academy has also decided to no longer recognise drive-in theatres as a qualifying venue for Oscars eligibility. This rule was adopted during Covid times when movie theatres were closed. In the pandemic years, the Academy also allowed films shown on streaming and VOD platforms to qualify due to the pandemic.
Only those films will be considered for best picture which meet the expanded theatrical requirements that were announced in 2023. These include a one-week qualifying run in one of six US markets followed by a seven-day run, either consecutive or non-consecutive, in 10 of the top 50 US markets within 45 days of the initial release.
If films want to be considered for the Oscars’ top prize they must submit the Academy Representation and Inclusion Standards Entry (RAISE) form, meeting at least two of the four standards. Distributors and production teams are also advised to apply for the PGA Mark Certification for awards determination by the date of the film’s first qualifying run.
In the screenplay categories, submission of the final shooting script is now mandatory for consideration for original or adapted.
Animated films are eligible for the best international feature category and can also be considered for best-animated feature if they meet the requirements for both categories.
Governors Awards
The Governors Awards have also got an overhaul. The Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award will now be presented as an Oscar statuette instead of the traditional bust of Thalberg. The last recipients of the Thalberg Award were Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall in 2018.
Lastly, two awards at the Scientific and Technical Awards have been renamed: the Gordon E. Sawyer Award is now the “Scientific and Technical Lifetime Achievement Award,” and the John A. Bonner Award has been renamed the “Scientific and Technical Service Award.”The Oscars 2025 ceremony is scheduled for March 2.