Academy Plans to Expand Festivals That Qualify for International Oscar
AMPAS CEO Bill Kramer said the Academy will add to the six festivals whose top winners can be submitted directly for the international category.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences plans to widen the number of film festivals whose top prizewinners can serve as standalone qualifiers for the International Film Oscar, its CEO Bill Kramer said. Kramer made the comments during the Tokyo Film Festival, according to Deadline.
Kramer said the Academy began with six festivals because juried awards were essential to the system, and not every festival hands them out. Under rules introduced in May, the winners of the top award at Berlin, Busan, Cannes, Sundance, Toronto and Venice can be submitted automatically for the international category.
Kramer is in Tokyo with AMPAS President Lynette Howell Taylor and Meredith Shea, the Academy's Chief Membership, Impact and Industry Officer, for a series of public talks titled Academy in Tokyo. He will also receive an honorary leadership award during the visit.
Membership shifts beyond the US
Kramer said 25% of Academy membership now lives outside the United States. The Tokyo Film Festival runs until November 4.
Separately, the Academy previously created a rule allowing refugee filmmakers outside their home country to have their films submitted by a host-country committee. In December 2025, it was announced that YouTube had won the rights to broadcast the Academy Awards starting with the 101st ceremony in 2029 and running through 2033; ABC has hosted the Oscars since 1976, and Disney's deal runs through 2028.
Quick answers
Which festivals currently qualify winners for the International Film Oscar?
Under rules introduced in May, the top-award winners at Berlin, Busan, Cannes, Sundance, Toronto and Venice can be submitted automatically for the international category.
Why did the Academy start with six festivals?
Bill Kramer said the Academy began with six to ensure juried awards were involved, since not every festival has them.
When does the Tokyo Film Festival end?
The Tokyo Film Festival runs until November 4.