The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has opened submissions for the 2025 Student Academy Awards, expanding eligibility criteria and moving the awards ceremony to New York City for the first time in its 52-year history.
The annual event, which has traditionally been held in Los Angeles, will take place during the New York Film Festival at the Ziegfeld Ballroom on October 6, 2025. Rolex, a longtime partner of the Academy, will continue its support of the competition as part of its broader initiative to foster emerging talent in the film industry.
A larger pool of eligible filmmakers will be able to access this year because the Academy has revised its eligibility requirements, allowing students in certificate programs to submit their final film projects. Previously, only degree-seeking students were eligible. The competition is now also open to students from schools that do not meet traditional accreditation standards, broadening access to the program.
The competition remains open to full-time and part-time undergraduate and graduate students who have completed an intermediate or final graduation film as part of their coursework.
Submissions are being accepted through FilmFreeway, with a deadline of May 18, 2025. Films will be considered in four categories: Animation, Documentary, Live Action Narrative, and Alternative/Experimental.
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Winners will be announced in August 2025, and all Student Academy Award-winning films will be eligible for the 98th Academy Awards in the Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film, or Documentary Short Film categories.
Since its inception in 1972, the Student Academy Awards have served as a launching pad for filmmakers who have gone on to shape contemporary cinema. Past winners have received 69 Oscar nominations and won or shared 15 Academy Awards. Notable alumni include Spike Lee, Robert Zemeckis, Trey Parker, Patricia Cardoso, and Pete Docter.
The decision to host the ceremony in New York follows a similar move last year, when the Academy held the event in London. The change reflects a growing effort to expand the competition’s reach beyond Hollywood and highlight its global significance.
“The Student Academy Awards have long been a proving ground for the next generation of filmmakers,” a spokesperson for the Academy said. “Expanding eligibility and bringing the ceremony to New York reflects our mission to nurture talent in new and meaningful ways.”
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which oversees the Oscars, has a global membership of more than 10,500 film professionals. It remains one of the most influential organizations in cinema, recognizing excellence in filmmaking while also working to preserve and promote the art form.
Rolex, which has partnered with the Academy since 2017, continues to support the Student Academy Awards through its Perpetual Arts Initiative, a program dedicated to fostering creativity and mentorship in the arts.
How to Apply
Submissions for the 2025 Student Academy Awards are open through May 18, 2025. Full details, including competition rules and application guidelines, can be found at www.oscars.org/saa.
Key Dates
Submission Deadline: May 18, 2025
Winners Announced: August 2025
Awards Ceremony: October 6, 2025, Ziegfeld Ballroom, New York City
For more information, visit www.oscars.org.
