The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has revealed the lists of films eligible for consideration in the Animated Feature, Documentary Feature, and International Feature categories for the 98th Academy Awards. With 35 animated features, 201 documentaries, and submissions from 86 countries or regions, the announcements signal the ramp-up of Oscar season following the Governors Awards. Shortlists for these categories will be unveiled on December 16, 2025.
The release of these eligibility lists comes as Oscar voting enters its preliminary phase, with members of relevant branches and opt-in voters determining shortlists based on viewing requirements. For the Animated Feature Film category, 35 titles qualify, including high-profile entries like Zootopia 2, Elio, and The Bad Guys 2. Some films still need to complete their qualifying theatrical releases by year's end to advance. Notably, animated submissions can also compete in other categories, such as Best Picture, though this has been rare since Beauty and the Beast in 1991.
Documentary Feature Details
In the Documentary Feature category, a robust 201 films are eligible, covering diverse topics from music icons like Becoming Led Zeppelin and Billy Idol Should Be Dead to social issues in Can't Look Away: The Case against Social Media and Democracy Noir. Documentaries that have won qualifying festival awards or served as international submissions are included. The Documentary Branch will vote on the shortlist of 15, announced alongside shorts categories on December 16. No documentary has ever been nominated for Best Picture.
International Feature Submissions
Eighty-six countries or regions have submitted films for the International Feature Film category, defined by non-U.S. production and over 50% non-English dialogue. Standouts include France's It Was Just an Accident, Norway's Sentimental Value starring Elle Fanning, and Ukraine's 2000 Meters to Andriivka. Rule changes allow flexibility in language and submission origins, as seen with Iran's Cannes winner entered by France. All Academy members can opt in for preliminary voting.
Preliminary voting runs December 8-12, 2025, with nominations on January 22, 2026. The ceremony airs live on ABC from the Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026.