How Oscar Winners Are Picked: Inside the Voting Process

Every March, the Academy Awards crown the year’s best films, actors, and creators. But how exactly are winners chosen? The process is more complex than most viewers realize, involving multiple rounds of voting, strict eligibility rules, and thousands of Academy members.

Eligibility Rules

To qualify, films must run for at least seven consecutive days in a U.S. theater between January 1 and December 31 of the year. They must also exceed 40 minutes in length. Movies released only on television or streaming platforms without a theatrical run are not eligible.

Nomination Process

• Shortlists: In December, the Academy releases shortlists for select categories, narrowing down hundreds of films.
• Nomination Voting: Members vote in January, with results announced live. For the 98th Oscars, nominees were revealed on January 22, 2026.
• Category Limits: Most categories feature five nominees, while Best Picture can include up to 10.

Who Votes?

The Academy has 20 branches, representing disciplines like acting, directing, writing, and editing. Members nominate only within their field — actors nominate actors, directors nominate directors, and so on. Exceptions include Best Picture, Best International Feature, and Best Animated Short, where all members can vote.

When it comes to final winners, however, every voting member can cast a ballot in every category.

Required Viewing

Since 2025, Academy members must watch all nominated films in a category before voting. This rule ensures fairness, especially in categories like Best International Feature and Best Animated Short.

New Categories

The 98th Academy Awards in 2026 will debut the Achievement in Casting award. In 2027, Achievement in Stunt Design will join the lineup, reflecting the evolving craft of filmmaking.

Final Voting

For the 2026 Oscars, final voting opened on February 26 and closed on March 5. Results remain secret until the live ceremony, ensuring suspense until the envelopes are opened on stage.