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Oscars Short Films 2026: Key Dates & Rule Changes
With The Academy recently unveiling the timeline and announcing several rule changes for the 98th Academy Awards, we break down the key updates - especially those impacting the short film categories.
Over the years, our Oscars coverage on Short of the Week has become some of our most widely read editorial content. Whether it’s the shortlists, the nominations, or the final winners, there’s always a strong appetite for discovering and watching the short films in contention. Even after the awards have wrapped, articles like our nominations announcement and Voter’s Guide continue to draw significant traffic.
With the winners of the 97th Academy Awards announced just over a month ago (on March 2nd), it feels a bit surreal to already be turning our attention to the 98th edition. But with The Academy recently releasing their timeline and announcing a few rule changes impacting short films, we wanted to break down the key updates below.
Voting Rules
The most notable change in the announcement – and one that has caught some of the film-going public off guard – relates to the required viewing time for casting a vote.
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.
While many were surprised to learn this wasn’t already standard practice, it’s a welcome and necessary shift – one that strengthens the fairness, accountability, and integrity of the voting process.
In addition to the viewing time update, there’s also been a specific change introduced that directly impacts one of the short film categories.
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.
This move appears to be aimed at boosting voter participation and maybe increasing exposure for the category. However, by opening the door to a broader range of voters – many of whom may not have a deep background in animation – there’s a risk that the focus could shift away from the independent productions that have flourished in this category in recent years, in favor of more mainstream entries.
Guidelines on AI Use in Oscar-Eligible Films
The role of AI in filmmaking remains one of the industry’s most talked-about issues, and in their latest press release, The Academy has outlined how they plan to address it in the context of awards eligibility:
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.
While the statement seems intended to strike a balance between embracing innovation and safeguarding the human artistry at the heart of the Oscars, The Academy’s stance ultimately lands as a cautious middle ground – neither fully endorsing nor opposing the use of AI in filmmaking.
Key Dates
- Thursday, August 14, 2025 – First submission deadline for Animated Short Film,Documentary Feature Film, Documentary Short Film and Live Action Short Film categories
- Monday, October 6, 2025 – Student Academy Awards
- Thursday, October 9, 2025 – Final submission deadline for Animated Short Film,Documentary Short Film and Live Action Short Film categories
- Monday, December 8, 2025 – Preliminary voting begins 9 a.m. PT
- Friday, December 12, 2025 – Preliminary voting ends 5 p.m. PT
- Tuesday, December 16, 2025 – Oscars Shortlists Announcement
- Monday, January 12, 2026 – Nominations voting begins 9 a.m. PT
- Friday, January 16, 2026 – Nominations voting ends 5 p.m. PT
- Thursday, January 22, 2026 – Oscars Nominations Announcement
- Thursday, February 26, 2026 – Finals voting begins 9 a.m. PT
- Thursday, March 5, 2026 – Finals voting ends 5 p.m. PT
- Sunday, March 15, 2026 – Award Ceremony
