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The 2026 Oscars are approaching, with critical dates already on the calendar as the film industry sets its sights on the prestigious event. ABC will air the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, with comedian Conan O’Brien returning to host for a second consecutive year.
As the excitement builds, several key award ceremonies will precede the Oscars. These include the Golden Globes on January 4, the Critics Choice Awards on January 11, the BAFTAs on February 22, and the Screen Actors Guild Awards on March 1. These early events often play a significant role in shaping Oscar narratives, especially when winners deliver memorable acceptance speeches that resonate with audiences and voters alike.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences implemented several notable rule changes on April 21. One major change requires members to view all nominated films in their respective categories before they are eligible to cast votes in the final round. This new measure will be tracked through the Academy Screening Room streaming platform. Additionally, for the first time, the names of all nominees will be listed on the final ballot, including in the Best Song category, where songwriters and musicians had previously not been recognized. Furthermore, the Academy introduced important guidelines regarding Generative Artificial Intelligence, reflecting the ongoing evolution of technology in the film industry.
Below is the updated calendar for the 2026 Oscars. Please note that award ceremonies are indicated in bold, while nominations announcements are italicized like this.
2025 Key Dates
April 29 — Scientific and Technical Awards Ceremony
October 6 — Student Academy Awards Ceremony
November 16 — Governors Awards Ceremony
December 9 — Producers Guild of America (PGA) Nominations Announcement for Documentary Motion Pictures
December 12 — Producers Guild of America (PGA) Nominations Announcement for Sports, Children’s, and Short Form
December 16 — Oscars Shortlists Announcement
2026 Key Dates
January 2 — Palm Springs International Film Awards
January 4 — Golden Globes Awards Ceremony
January 7 — Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Nominations Announcement
January 9 — Producers Guild of America (PGA) Nominations Announcement for Film and Television (major categories)
January 11 — Critics Choice Awards (CCA) Awards Ceremony
January 22 — Oscars Nominations Announcement
February 10 — Oscars Nominees Luncheon
February 22 — British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards Ceremony
February 28 — Producers Guild of America (PGA) Awards Ceremony
March 1 — Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards Ceremony
March 15 — Oscars Ceremony
Dates To Be Announced
Further announcements are expected regarding the following events in 2026:
- AARP Movies for Grownups Awards
- Advanced Imaging Society (Lumiere) Awards
- African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) Awards
- American Cinema Editors (ACE) Awards
- American Film Institute (AFI) Awards
- American Society of Cinematographers (ASC)
- Art Directors Guild (ADG) Awards
- Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards
- BAFTA Tea Party
- Casting Society of America (CSA) Awards
- Cinema Audio Society (CAS) Awards
- Costume Designers Guild (CDG) Awards
- Directors Guild of America (DGA) Awards
- Dorian Awards
- Film Independent Spirit Awards
- ICG Publicists Awards
- Makeup and Hairstyling (MUAHS) Awards
- Motion Picture Sound Editors (MPSE) Awards
- NAACP Image Awards
- Santa Barbara International Film Awards
- Visual Effects Society (VES) Awards
- Writers Guild of America (WGA) Awards
Updated April 22, 2025
Source
www.goldderby.com