The Academy Launches 2025 Student Academy Awards Competition

 

The Academy Launches 2025 Student Academy Awards Competition

52nd Student Academy Awards Ceremony to Be Held in New York City in Partnership with Rolex

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has officially opened submissions for the 2025 Student Academy Awards®, inviting emerging filmmakers from around the world to compete for one of the industry’s most prestigious honors. The deadline for entries is May 18, 2025.

For the first time, the annual Student Academy Awards ceremony will be held in New York City, taking place during the New York Film Festival at the Ziegfeld Ballroom on Monday, October 6, 2025. Rolex continues its support of the competition as part of its commitment to fostering cinematic excellence and mentoring the next generation of filmmakers.

Expanded Eligibility for 2025 Competition

This year marks significant changes to the competition’s eligibility criteria:

• Certificate program students may now submit their final film projects for consideration.
• Schools are no longer required to meet accreditation standards to qualify.

The competition is open to full-time and part-time undergraduate and graduate students who have completed an intermediate-level or final graduation film as part of their coursework.

Submission Categories & Awards

Filmmakers can submit their work through FilmFreeway, a widely used platform for festival submissions. The Student Academy Awards honor outstanding work in:
🎬 Animation
📽️ Documentary
🎭 Live Action Narrative
🎞️ Alternative/Experimental

All winning films will be eligible for consideration at the 98th Academy Awards® in the Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film, or Documentary Short Film categories. To date, Student Academy Award winners have received 69 Oscar® nominations and have won or shared 15 Academy Awards®.

A Platform for Emerging Filmmakers

Established in 1972, the Student Academy Awards provide a global stage for up-and-coming talent, offering a pathway into the film industry. Past recipients include Spike Lee, Robert Zemeckis, Trey Parker, Patricia Cardoso, and Pete Docter—filmmakers who have gone on to shape contemporary cinema.

Key Dates & More Information

🗓️ Entry Deadline: May 18, 2025
🏆 Winners Announced: August 2025
📍 Awards Ceremony: October 6, 2025, Ziegfeld Ballroom, New York City

For official rules and submission details, visit www.oscars.org/saa.

About the Academy & Rolex Partnership

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is home to a global membership of over 10,500 artists and industry leaders, recognizing excellence in filmmaking through the Oscars®. Rolex has been a Proud Sponsor of the Academy since 2017, supporting cinematic preservation, artistic achievement, and mentorship initiatives.

For more on Rolex’s commitment to cinema, visit Rolex and Cinema.

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