AMPAS announces International Feature rules for 97th Academy Awards

Official rules for the 97th Oscars® International Feature Film category have been published. 

An international film is defined as a feature-length motion picture (more than 40 minutes) produced outside the United States of America and its territories with a predominantly (more than 50%) non-English dialogue track. Animated and documentary feature films are permitted.

Approved selection committees are invited to submit ONLY ONE film for consideration for the International Feature Film category.

The country-selected film must be first released in the country of origin no earlier than November 1, 2023, and no later than September 30, 2024, and be first publicly exhibited for at least seven consecutive days in a commercial motion picture theater for the profit of the producer and exhibitor.
For films to meet theatrical exhibition requirements more easily, the Academy will allow films to qualify outside the country of origin, provided the film is theatrically exhibited outside of the United States and its territories for at least seven consecutive days in a commercial motion picture theater for paid admission.
The International Feature Film Executive Committee shall resolve all questions of eligibility and rules.

All dates and matters of rules and eligibility for the 97th Academy Awards are subject to change.

COMPLETE AWARD RULES
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Eligibility period: The country-selected film must be first released in the country of origin no earlier than November 1, 2023, and no later than September 30, 2024.

Eligibility in other categories:
Animated feature films submitted to the International Feature Film category are eligible for the Animated Feature Film category, provided that they meet the eligibility requirements outlined for the International Feature Film category and the Animated Feature Film category.

Documentary feature films submitted to the International Feature Film category are eligible for the Documentary Feature Film category, provided that they meet the eligibility requirements outlined for the International Feature Film category and the Documentary Feature Film category.

Films submitted for consideration in the International Feature Film category for the 97th Academy Awards are NOT eligible for consideration in other awards categories in the subsequent year, nor could the films have been submitted in other awards categories in a previous year.

Selection of that film shall be made by one approved organization, jury, or committee, of which at least 50% include artists and/or craftspeople from the field of motion pictures.

Selection committee information deadline: Thursday, August 15, 2024 

Film submission deadline: 5 p.m. PT on Wednesday, October 2, 2024

All selection committees will be required to adhere to guidelines that are approved by the International Feature Film Executive Committee. 

Please note: IFTA will open submissions shortly for Ireland's selected film for the 97th Academy Awards