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Oscar Shortlists: Surprises Emerge Amidst Rule Changes
15 Dec, 2025
Summary
- New Academy rules alter how films advance in Oscar nominations.
- Documentary and international feature categories saw significant changes.
- 'Peter Hujar's Day' notably appears alongside expected contenders.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is poised to unveil its highly anticipated shortlists for the upcoming 98th Academy Awards. These lists will provide the first concrete indication of voter preferences as the nomination phase progresses.
Several categories have adopted new mechanics for film advancement. Notably, the documentary feature and international feature categories have discarded old numerical scoring systems, opting for a ranked-choice approach. This shift is expected to favor films with stronger campaigns and wider exposure, potentially leading to fewer surprises.
While established films and distributors are well-represented, unexpected entries like 'Peter Hujar's Day' have emerged, generating buzz. The introduction of a new best casting category adds another layer of intrigue to this year's nominations process.
