How are Oscar nominees and winners chosen?

The Oscars are governed by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), an organization composed of over 10,500 industry professionals. This elite group ensures the awards celebrate cinematic excellence, carefully crafting a process that reflects fairness, artistry, and innovation in film.

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Membership branches -

Academy members belong to 17 branches, each representing a specific discipline, such as acting, cinematography, or music. This system ensures nominations and awards are determined by professionals deeply knowledgeable in their respective crafts, which offers credibility to the results.

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Membership through sponsorship -

It isn’t possible to sign up for the Academy. Joining requires sponsorship by two current Academy members. These sponsors nominate an industry professional, and the Academy’s Board of Governors reviews and decides whether the individual receives an invitation to join.

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Automatic membership -

Oscar nominees bypass the sponsorship requirement and can automatically be considered for membership by the Academy. This streamlined process reflects the Academy’s acknowledgment of artists and their exceptional contributions to the film industry.

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Beyond the Oscars -

In addition to the Oscars, the Academy administers other prestigious awards, including the Student Academy Awards and the Scientific and Technical Awards recognizing groundbreaking achievements in filmmaking technology.

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Strict eligibility criteria -

For a film to qualify for the Oscars, it must have a minimum seven-day theatrical release in Los Angeles County within the calendar year. These strict guidelines ensure only films meeting industry standards can compete for Hollywood’s highest honors.

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The importance of submissions -

Studios, distributors, or filmmakers must submit their films or performances to the Academy for consideration. Without this formal process, even exceptional works risk exclusion. Proper submission ensures that each film receives due consideration within the competition.

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Screeners for fair access -

Academy members are provided access to screeners so that they can watch eligible films before voting. Whether through digital platforms or private screenings, this system guarantees voters are fully informed when casting their ballots.

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Campaigning under rules -

Film studios campaign rigorously for their films, but they must comply with Academy guidelines that restrict excessive promotions, gifts, or overbearing advertisements. These rules preserve fairness and allow the quality of the work to take center stage in the voting process.

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Nominations within branches -

Academy members nominate films and performances within their branch. For example, actors nominate actors, while editors nominate editors. This peer-based system ensures that each nomination reflects the insights of professionals in that particular field.

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Voting for winners -

In the final voting phase, all Academy members are eligible to vote for winners in every Oscar category. Votes are submitted online and securely tabulated by an auditing firm.

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Preferential voting for Best Picture -

The Best Picture category uses a preferential voting system. Members rank films in order of preference, and a process of elimination determines the winner. This guarantees that a broadly supported winner emerges from consensus rather than simple majority.

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Specialized shortlists -

Certain categories (such as Documentary Feature or Visual Effects) begin with shortlists. Committees refine the pool of candidates to ensure only the best options advance, which allows voters to focus on the cream of the crop.

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Watching films -

Academy members are not required to watch every eligible film, but they are encouraged to view as many as possible and are asked to vote only on the films they have seen. Members may also abstain from voting in categories where they feel unqualified or have not watched enough entries.

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The role of auditors -

After the votes are cast, an independent audit firm is hired by the Academy to manage the ballots, and this is done with a strict measure of confidentiality and accuracy. This impartial oversight means that the integrity of the process is maintained, leaks are avoided, and there can be a guarantee of trust in the final results.

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The two voting rounds -

Oscar voting occurs in two distinct rounds: one for nominations and another for winners. The average number of nominees varies by Oscar category due to the unique rules governing each. While most categories average five nominees, the Best Picture category usually includes more. Since 2010, the number of nominees for Best Picture has ranged from eight to 10.

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Best Picture’s open vote -

While most categories rely on branch-specific voting, the Best Picture category invites all Academy members to participate. This allows for a broader range of voices that reflect industry-wide recognition of the year’s standout film.

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Animation’s unique criteria -

The Animated Feature category requires that films meet specific guidelines, including the use of animation in at least 75% of the runtime. A specialized committee evaluates entries so that only high-quality, fully animated films qualify for the category.

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Foreign-language films -

For the International Feature category, countries outside of the United States are allowed to submit only one film each for consideration. A global committee of Academy members then evaluates and narrows down the entries to a shortlist.

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Documentaries and storytelling mastery -

Documentary Feature films must combine journalistic rigor with cinematic storytelling. A specialized committee shortlists the best entries, guaranteeing only films that meet the highest standards of truth and creativity advance to the next stage.

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Song and score selection -

In music categories, members of the music branch nominate original songs and scores, and they evaluate how music enhances the narrative and emotional depth of a film. To be nominated for Best Original Score, a minimum of 60% of the film's music must be original. For sequels or franchise films, the threshold increases to 80%.

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Best Picture’s wide scope -

The Best Picture category reflects overall excellence in a plethora of factors, including storytelling, acting, directing, and production. By inviting votes from the entire Academy, the award recognizes films that resonate broadly across all disciplines of filmmaking.

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The Governors Awards -

The Governors Awards recognize lifetime achievements and contributions to cinema, chosen by the Academy’s Board of Governors. These honorary Oscars celebrate individuals whose work has profoundly impacted the industry over decades.

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Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting -

The Academy also hands out the Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting, which is a prestigious screenwriting competition designed to nurture emerging talent. The program provides financial support, mentorship, and industry exposure to aspiring screenwriters.

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Independent films find their place -

While big-budget films often dominate, independent films frequently earn nominations due to their creative storytelling. The Academy recognizes these gems, which proves that cinematic excellence can transcend financial resources and marketing campaigns.

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Diversity initiatives -

The Academy has also implemented initiatives to increase diversity among members and nominees. These efforts aim to reflect the global film community and recognize voices that have been traditionally underrepresented in Hollywood.

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Rigorous process -

Only two partners from the auditing firm know the Oscar winners before they are revealed live at the ceremony. But despite strict security measures, human error can still occur, as seen in 2017 when ‘La La Land’ was mistakenly announced as Best Picture instead of the actual winner, ‘Moonlight.’

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Voting reforms over time -

The Academy periodically revises its voting processes to ensure fairness and inclusivity. Changes (such as expanding membership or refining category guidelines) guarantee that the Academy retains its commitment to staying relevant and addressing industry evolution.

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The night of celebration -

After nominations are announced and the votes are cast, the Oscars culminate in a grand ceremony where the winners are announced live. This event celebrates not only the winners but the collaborative spirit of filmmaking, honoring those who dedicate their lives to creating cinematic magic.

Sources: (Today) (Britannica) (Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences)