The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and ABC announced the 94th Oscars® ceremony originally scheduled for February 27, 2022 will move to Sunday, March 27, 2022. The show will air live on ABC from the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood.

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.

Following this year, the Academy intends to expand the qualifying requirements for the 95th Awards.

RULE TWO – ELIGIBILITY
Approved by the Academy’s Board of Governors on Wednesday, May 26, 2021

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

Academy key dates for the 2021 Oscar® season are as follows: