The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and ABC today announced the 94th Oscars ceremony will move to Sunday, March 27, 2022. The show, which will air live on ABC from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, was originally scheduled for February 27, 2022.
The eligibility period for Academy Awards consideration will return to the standard December 31 deadline: a feature film must have a qualifying release date between March 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021. This year, which is still impacted by the pandemic, eligibility requirements for the 94th Academy Awards will be consistent with the addendums made for the 93rd Awards season (scroll down to read more). Complete 94th Awards rules and specialty category submission deadlines will be announced in June. Following this year, the Academy intends to expand the qualifying requirements for the 95th Awards.
Academy key dates for the 2021 Oscar season are as follows:
- General entry categories submission deadline: Monday, November 15, 2021
- Preliminary voting begins 9 a.m. PT: Friday, December 10, 2021
- Preliminary voting ends 5 p.m. PT: Wednesday, December 15, 2021
- Oscar Shortlists Announcement: Tuesday, December 21, 2021
- Eligibility period ends: Friday, December 31, 2021
- Governors Awards: Saturday, January 15, 2022
- Nominations voting begins 9 a.m. PT: Thursday, January 27, 2022
- Nominations voting ends 5 p.m. PT: Tuesday, February 1, 2022
- Oscar Nominations Announcement: Tuesday, February 8, 2022
- Oscar Nominees Luncheon: Monday, March 7, 2022
- Finals voting begins 9 a.m. PT: Thursday, March 17, 2022
- Finals voting ends 5 p.m. PT: Tuesday, March 22, 2022
- 94th Oscars: Sunday, March 27, 2022
All dates for the 94th Academy Awards are subject to change.
With the gradual re-opening of theaters, there are two methods of qualification for awards consideration in Best Picture and general entry categories for the 94th Academy Awards:
1) Films which are intended for theatrical release, but are initially made available through commercial streaming, VOD service or other broadcast may qualify under these provisions:
- That the film be made available on the secure Academy Screening Room member site within 60 days of the film’s streaming/VOD release or broadcast;
- That it meets all other eligibility requirements
OR
2) Films that open in theaters in at least one of the six qualifying U.S. cities, depending on theater availability, may qualify under these provisions:
- That the film completes a qualifying run of at least seven consecutive days in the same commercial venue, during which period screenings must occur at least three times daily, with at least one screening beginning between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. daily
- That it meets all other eligibility requirements
- Six qualifying U.S. cities include: Los Angeles County; City of New York [Five Boroughs]; the Bay Area [counties of San Francisco, Marin, Alameda, San Mateo and Contra Costa]; Chicago [Cook County, Illinois]; Miami [Miami-Dade County, Florida]; and Atlanta [Fulton County, Georgia].
- Drive-in theaters are included as a qualifying commercial venue in the above cities (must run for seven consecutive days with at least one screening daily)
- Academy Screening Room would be optional
The 94th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood and will be televised live on ABC and in more than 200 territories worldwide. www.oscars.org.
