The Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has approved the new rules for the 98th Oscars, including how the new casting category will work, the cinematography branch being added to the Oscar shortlists in December, key dates for the season and much more.

The Oscars shortlists will be revealed on December 16, 2025, nominations will be announced on January 22, 2026 with 98th Academy Awards taking place on March 15.

In a sweeping 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. The Academy will track viewing via the members-only Academy Screening Room streaming app and if a member has watched a nominated film at a designated screening, film festivals, or other venue, members will have to fill out a form declaring when and where they watched a film.

In one of the biggest changes to Oscar ballots, designated nominees will also be included on the final ballot. Previously only the film name was visible. For nominees like Thomas Newman and Diane Warren, always nominated but never winners, this could provide an edge they didn’t have before during winner voting.

Eligibility and voting for the inaugural Academy Award for Achievement in Casting have been established and 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.