What Are the Requirements to Win an Oscar?
Winning an Oscar is the ultimate achievement in the movie industry. Every year, filmmakers and actors strive to win one of the coveted golden trophies in various award categories. But how do nominees go about making the illustrious list and eventually winning an Academy Award? What are the prerequisites and criteria that must be met in order to qualify? Keep reading to learn all about the requirements to win an Oscar.
Eligibility Rules
Before a nominee can even be considered for an Oscar, they must first meet the basic eligibility requirements for each award category. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) does not accept just any application that crosses its path. Here are the eligibility details for the various award categories:
Achievement in Directing:
• All directing nominees must have been the principal director responsible for the creative achievement of the movie in question.
• Secondary directors, such as assistant directors, co-directors or credited directors, are not eligible.
• The movie in question must have been released in one of the two preceding calendar years.
• Distributors must submit materials required by the Academy to authenticate that the submitted film was released in theaters.
Achievement in Writing:
• All writing nominees must have either written an original screenplay or adapted a pre-existing work.
• Writers must have been solely responsible for the writing process, not editing or revising.
• The movie in question must have been released in one of the two preceding annual calendar years.
• Distributors must submit materials required by the Academy to authenticate that the submitted film was released in theaters.
Achievement in Sound Editing:
• All sound editing nominees must have been durably contributing to the achievement in the sound category.
• The movie in question must have been released in one of two preceding calendar years.
• Distributors must submit materials required by the Academy to authenticate that the submitted film was released in theaters.
Submission Guidelines
Given the basic eligibility requirements, the filmmakers must then submit their movie and its related materials to the Academy’s Screening Committee via the process outlined by the Academy. All films that comply with the eligibility requirements are listed online to be voted on by the Screening Committee. Here are the criteria for the different submission requirements for each award category:
Achievement in Directing:
• The film’s application form must be completed and submitted no later than December 1st.
• A copy of the submitted film in its entirety must also be submitted by December 1st.
• The film’s soundtrack must be submitted by November 29th. The CD must include a voting print of the film.
• A detailed technical report and quality assessment document must be completed and submitted by November 30th.
Achievement in Writing:
• The film’s application form must be completed and submitted no later than December 1st.
• Two copies of the original screenplay must be submitted, one on November 30th and one on December 1st.
• A copy of the submitted film in its entirety must also be submitted by December 1st.
• The film’s soundtrack must be submitted by November 29th. The CD must include a voting print of the film.
Achievement in Sound Editing:
• The film’s application form must be completed and submitted no later than December 1st.
• A reel or montage of sound clips from the film must be submitted no later than November 29th.
• A copy of the submitted film in its entirety must also be submitted by December 1st.
• The film’s soundtrack must be submitted by November 29th. The CD must include a voting print of the film.
Screening Committee Voting
Once all of the submitted materials have been reviewed by the Screening Committee, final voting takes place. The Screening Committee has the power to nominate up to five films in each category, with a minimum of one film in each category listed as eligible. The final voting polls must be completed by February 26th, and all ballots must be returned no later than March 5th. This voting process helps to ensure that the Academy Awards nominees reflect excellence in all aspects of filmmaking.
Judging Criteria
The voting process leads to the nomination of two to three films in each category. While the Screening Committee is responsible for selecting the nominees, the judging criteria that determines the ultimate Oscar winner can be broken down as follows:
• Artistic merit – Is the quality of the filmmaking exceptional?
• Technical achievement – Was the camerawork, sound design, hair and makeup, etc. exceptional?
• Cultural contributions – Are there any political, social or cultural implications to the movie?
• Originality & creativity – Did this film bring something original or creative to the silver screen?
• Storytelling – Did it impact audiences in a lasting way?
• Acting – Did any of the actors stand out for their performance?
Oscar Ceremony
Each February, the AMPAS puts on an annual awards show to celebrate the films and filmmakers of the year. During the Academy Awards ceremony, all of the nominated films and actors in each category are revealed on stage, and the winner is announced to the world. Winners are presented with the coveted Oscar Statue, which signifies the very highest level of artistic and technical achievement in the film industry.
The challenge of winning an Oscar is no easy feat. Every year, filmmakers and actors strive to meet the standards set forth by the Screening Committee and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Becoming an Oscar winner requires unique talent, tons of dedication, and rigorous adherence to the submission and judging criteria. Those who come out on top have a true reason to celebrate.
