The Oscars, also known as the Academy Awards, are one of the most prestigious events in the entertainment industry. As the 97th Academy Awards approach on March 2, 2025, many are curious about how the winners are selected. The process is intricate, confidential, and involves multiple steps to ensure fairness and accuracy. Here’s a detailed look at how the Oscars 2025 winners will be chosen.
The Academy and Its Members
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which organizes the Oscars, consists of over 10,000 members across 19 different branches. These branches represent various fields in the film industry, such as acting, directing, writing, and technical roles. Each branch votes within its field, but all members can vote for the Best Picture category.
“All eligible Academy members participate in Oscars voting. Best Picture nominations are determined by eligible members from all 19 Academy branches. In other categories, the nominations are determined by members of a specific branch or voters who meet eligibility requirements.”
— The Academy
The Nomination Process
The journey to the Oscars begins with submissions from studios or production companies. To qualify, films must meet specific eligibility criteria, including a theatrical release in the previous calendar year. Once submissions are in, Academy members vote to nominate candidates in each category.
The highest-voted contenders in each category become the official nominees, which are announced to the public. This step ensures that only the most deserving films and individuals make it to the final round.
Final Voting and Winner Selection
After the nominations are announced, the final voting process begins. Academy members vote online to select the winners in all categories. The majority of categories use a simple voting system—the nominee with the highest number of votes wins. However, the Best Picture category uses a ranked-choice voting system to ensure a fair outcome.
In ranked-choice voting, members list the nominees in order of preference. If no film receives more than 50% of the first-choice votes in the initial round, the lowest-ranked film is eliminated, and its votes are redistributed based on the voters’ next preferences. This process continues until one film secures the majority of votes.
Counting the Votes
The responsibility of counting the final votes falls on PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), an independent accounting firm. PwC ensures the confidentiality and accuracy of the results. The winners’ names are sealed in envelopes and delivered directly to the Oscars ceremony. Presenters receive these envelopes on stage, ensuring that no one knows the results beforehand.
Efforts to Diversify the Academy
In recent years, the Academy has faced criticism for insufficient representation and diversity among its members. To address this, the Academy has made efforts to diversify its membership by inviting new members annually. This includes prominent figures like Idris Elba, America Ferrera, Ryan Coogler, Lily Gladstone, and Teo Yoo, who bring fresh perspectives to the voting process.
Top Contenders for Oscars 2025
This year, the Spanish musical Emilia Pérez leads with 13 nominations, followed by The Brutalist and Wicked with 10 nominations each. These films are expected to make the competition intense and exciting on Hollywood’s biggest night.
ALSO READ: 2025 Awards Tracker: Who’s Winning and Losing in the Oscars Race So Far
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