Procrastinators, take note — the deadline for all submissions for best original song and best original score for the 2025 Oscars is Nov. 1.
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This year, there will be some changes in the best original score category. The shortlist of best original score contenders will increase from 15 to 20 scores. The shortlist for best original song, meanwhile, will remain at 15 entries. Shortlists in those two categories, and eight more, will be announced on Dec. 17.
The Academy’s music branch executive committee increased the score shortlist to cast a wider net to bring awareness to more scores before voting begins. There are many more scores submitted than songs. For the 96th annual Academy Awards, which were held earlier this year, 148 scores vied for 15 spots on the shortlist, compared to 94 songs which vied for 15 spots on that shortlist.
Also, starting with the upcoming Oscars, “three composers will be allowed to receive individual statuettes if, in rare circumstances, they all contributed fully to the score. Previously, three composers were required to submit as a group. The rules now clarify the definition of a group as a recognized band.”
This came into play four years ago, when Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and Jon Batiste won best original score for Soul. All three composers will forever be known as Oscar winners for that score, yet they received just one Oscar statuette. Under this rule change, if such a scenario happened again, all three would receive statuettes (assuming the Academy decreed that all three contributed fully to the score.)
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Preliminary voting for the 97th Oscars runs from Dec. 9-13. As noted, the shortlists in 10 categories will be announced on Dec. 17. Nominations-round voting then runs from Jan. 8-12. Nominations will be announced Jan. 17. Final-round voting runs from Feb. 11-18.
The 97th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 2 at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be televised live on ABC and in more than 200 territories worldwide.